And the dam burst. In a torrent of words, Liz and Matt told her about Kate and the strange way she was behaving, and their concerns for Will. Laura listened intently.

After a lengthy silence, Laura set down her mug. ‘I can see that your friend is in dire need of proper help. You tell me that she refuses to ask for that help, and her husband is not prepared to go against her wishes. That means we need to try and find another way to mitigate her escalating mania and hopefully break the pattern. It will be very difficult. If she is as you describe, it’s unlikely that we’ll succeed without the aid of medication. Is there any way I could meet her?’

‘We can try, Laura, but Will is against it at present. He’s afraid Kate will realise that you’re a doctor.’ Matt sighed. ‘The poor guy risks losing her whatever he decides to do. He’s walking a tightrope, with no safety net beneath him.’

‘Not quite,’ said Laura with a gentle smile. ‘That’s exactly what you are at present. Imagine having to face all this alone, with no friend to listen to you.’

‘I’m afraid of what might happen, Laura,’ Matt said after a while. ‘As I see it, she’s heading for a complete breakdown, and if that happens, he will blame himself.’

‘Is there any chance she might recover without any treatment?’ asked Liz.

Laura tilted her head to one side. ‘She’s clearly a fighter. She came back from a similar situation once before, so she could do it again. The move to Holland House must have been quite traumatic for her, especially when she found out about the children that died there, after losing her own baby not so long before. I suppose her compulsive behaviour might resolve itself if her life gets back on a more even keel.’

‘Whisper Fen isn’t exactly a peaceful place right now.’ Matt told Laura about the attacks on Emilia’s cottage and the presence of an unsavoury character living not far from Holland House.

Laura pulled a face. ‘Ah. No, it doesn’t make for a relaxing atmosphere.’

Matt leaned forward. ‘I only saw one of her paintings, Laura, but it was extremely disturbing. Tomorrow, I’m taking Kate to visit an old-timer who worked at Holland House many years ago. While we are out, Will is planning to get into her studio and photograph all the paintings. I’ll forward them to you. I think you need to see them.’

She nodded. ‘I know. I’ve told Sam about this case and he’d also like to see them. His help will be invaluable. From what you’ve told me, it’s my belief that Kate’s condition is due to unresolved grief over the death of her baby.’

‘What advice should we give to Will?’ asked Matt.