Will nodded slowly. ‘I used to have a mate who was a paramedic. One day when he was off duty, he came across an RTA. He was in the middle of nowhere with no ambulance, no equipment or drugs and no uniform to hide behind. He said that all at once he felt inadequate and helpless. It’s a bit like that, isn’t it?’

Matt took a long swallow of his beer and sighed appreciatively. ‘Right, pin back your ears and I’ll tell you what Laura and Sam Page made of those paintings.’

Will leaned forward.

‘They agreed that the death of your daughter is at the root of Kate’s problems. Add to that the macabre history of Holland House.’ He looked at Will. ‘Me and Liz are trying to steer her towards the more “positive” historical accounts. You can rest assured that I’m sifting out anything that even hints at murder, madness and missing children.’

‘I realise that, Matt. And she does trust you. Even this last week, while she has been terse and bad-tempered with me, she’s still full of praise for you. But she continues to ferret out the Holland family skeletons on the web, and the stories of other people hereabouts.’

‘Not much we can do about that, is there? But, right now, back to the paintings.’ Matt took another slug of his beer.

‘You know, when I think of her earlier work, and its light, its atmosphere of sunshine and fun, I could weep. This new work of hers is the stuff of nightmares.’ Will shook his head.

‘Well, Sam reckons that is exactly what they are. Her nightmares. And Kate’s horrors aren’t confined to the night. They are with her all the time. Did you notice that in all but the last one, that of the young girl in the dungarees, the children are covered up and partially concealed?’

‘Yes, I did. What do they think that means?’