Matt raised an eyebrow. ‘Sounds like something we could handle, doesn’t it?’ He frowned. ‘Although I feel bad that we’ve had no luck in finding whoever was carrying out those attacks on Emilia Swain. And then there’s Kate. I have a feeling you may be right in saying that something tragic could happen unless Will finds a way to get her some professional help.’

Liz pulled a face. ‘Suppose I go and talk to Mr Foreman and tell him we have a case to tie up but if he is prepared to wait, we’ll look into it for him? What do you think?’

‘Good idea.’ Matt smiled across the table at her. ‘I know we don’t need the money, but if we want to build up a viable business, we need small jobs like this. I’ll go and see Will and Kate, and you see what the timescale is on Mr Foreman’s job. I had a text from Will, he’s off to the supermarket and will be home around ten thirty, so I’ll aim for then. I’ll call in on Emilia at the same time.’

Liz drained her cup. ‘Sounds good to me. It’s only seven thirty, but I’d better go and get a shower.’ She gave him a knowing look. ‘Want to join me?’

Matt smiled broadly. ‘I should go away more often. And as you say, it’s still early, isn’t it?’

They left the breakfast things and hurried back upstairs.

* * *

As Will prepared for his assault on the store, Kate pressed on with her decorating. She looked considerably better this morning, if you chose to ignore the panda eyes and the body that was little but skin and bone. Will decided that a sleep and the food had done her good. He had said he was happy for her to continue working on the house, just as long as she ate everything he prepared for her — breakfasts, lunches and dinners, and that she did not work on into the night. She hadn’t been exactly enthusiastic, but she hadn’t objected, so Will had some hope.

He strode out to his car and stopped. Some fleeting thing had caught his attention. Then it had gone. He stared back at the house, but it was lost to him. He sniffed. Annoying.

* * *

At twenty past ten, shopping complete, Will kicked open the back door and called for Kate to help him in with the bags.

He had unloaded the vehicle and dragged it all into the kitchen before she appeared.

‘Sorry, Bear. I was on the phone. Someone I contacted through the internet had some information for me about Whisper Fen, and he had some great new websites for me to look at. How was the shopping spree?’