‘Officially, she considered it dangerous for kids, with the old well, the ancient outbuildings and the treacherous tides that could sweep across the marsh. In truth — and please, keep this to yourself because Kate is unaware of the fact — it probably originated from the fact that her two-year-old daughter had been lost on the marsh. Apparently, one minute the child was playing in the garden, and the next she was gone. The papers were full of it. People suspected murder, abduction, all sorts of theories, but it was almost certain that she got lost and swept away in the tide. Do you remember it, Matt?’

‘Of course! Well, not personally, I was too young at the time, but I remember my dad saying there were search parties out all over the area, looking for a missing little one. I’d forgotten that it was Mrs Holland’s child.’

‘And Kate is unaware of this?’ Liz looked concerned. ‘How do you think she would react if she did know?’

Will raised his eyebrows. ‘Probably very badly.’ He looked anxious. ‘Mind you, I think she’ll find out soon enough. She’s started researching the place, and she’s bound to dig that one up.’

‘Where is she?’ Matt asked tentatively. ‘Working?’

‘Actually, she worked for most of the night. I left her sleeping this morning, but she said she’ll be down for lunch.’ He shrugged. ‘Well, I hope she will, but no promises. She wants to finish her current book as quickly as possible, then spend time redecorating the house.’

They went inside. Matt sniffed the air. ‘Hey, what’s that? It smells delicious.’

‘Spicy chicken and avocado in a tortilla wrap. It’s nothing special, but it’s one of Kate’s favourites. Ten minutes and we’re there.’

Matt felt Liz elbow him in the ribs. ‘Knocks spots off a Pot Noodle!’

Will looked at them blankly.

Matt laughed. ‘Private joke.’

Will poured Liz a glass of wine. ‘I’ll go and give Kate a call. I hope she hasn’t gone back to sleep.’

While he was out of the room, Liz gave Matt a long look. ‘He’s making a big effort, but he’s still edgy as hell.’

Matt nodded. If only Will would drop the pretence and tell them everything that was worrying him, no matter how harrowing.

A few minutes later, Kate came in.

Matt was shocked at her appearance. In just two months, she had lost weight and looked almost gaunt. She was very pale, as if she lived in the dark. She gave them both a hug and said how good it was to see them again, but there was something not right about Kate Stonebridge.

The food was as tasty as it smelt, and Matt took delight in ribbing his old friend about his metamorphosis into Jamie Oliver. Meanwhile, considering it was supposedly her favourite lunch, Kate ate almost nothing.