‘Something similar happened to me,’ Will said. ‘Kate was invited to go to New York with Angela on a promotional tour of Fairy Dreams. We were in this mammoth bookshop where Kate was looking for some art books she wanted. I found a book on this photographer who liked to work with dead bodies. His pictures turned my stomach. I put the book back quick before Kate could see it. The plate on the last page showed a dead baby. Imagine how Kate would have felt if she’d seen it.’

Matt wiped sweat from his eyes. ‘Well, then. In light of all that, perhaps Kate’s new work isn’t so disturbing after all.’

‘Maybe, but they are so unlike her usual work. They’re dreadful pictures, Matt, but I could see how well executed they were. Anyone who likes that sort of thing might think them works of genius. The sense of darkness and foreboding she conveyed was so powerful. It was just that it was my darling Kate that had made them. And they weren’t the Kate I knew.’

‘I’m looking forward to hearing from Liz how she got on with Kate today. From what she told me, our plan might just be working.’ Matt grinned at him. ‘Apparently, Kate can’t wait to hear how our research is going.’

‘I bet she can’t,’ Will said. ‘Holland House and Whisper Fen are all she thinks about.’

‘I wonder if Liz might be able to get her to show her some of her artwork? Shall I ask her to try?’ Matt suggested.

‘You can try, but I’ll bet she won’t get far.’

Matt mopped his face again. ‘I think I’ve had all the heat I can take, Will. I’m off for a cold shower.’

‘Me too,’ said Will, climbing down from the bench. ‘I’ll call Kate and then we can decide where to eat and what to do for the rest of the evening.’

‘Good idea. Come to my room afterwards and we’ll have a think.’ They stepped outside. ‘See you later.’

Reassured by their conversation, Will began to look forward to talking with Kate. He went up to his room and called her on his mobile.

And waited. Her phone rang and rang, but there was no answer. All his anxiety flooded back. Where was she? Out on the marshes, without her mobile? On top of a ladder painting a ceiling? Will sat on the bed and idly flicked through the different channels on the TV, worrying about his wife.

Unease about Kate turned to apprehension about the following day’s funeral. How could he cope with it all?

After a few minutes, he tried ringing Kate again, this time on the landline. Just as he was about to give up, she answered.

‘Kate! Where were you earlier? I was worried about you.’