Maybe Connie’s touch had broken the spell, or else Socks recalled a primeval urge warning her to avoid humans, because she suddenly shot away, disappearing through the hidden part of the garden.

Connie followed, but stopped abruptly. A man was shovelling earth into a hole. Victor. He had taken off his jacket and it lay on the ground next to a duffle bag.

‘Oh,’ she said, before she could stop herself.

His head snapped up. ‘My God. What are you doing here?’

She backed away. There was a flash of fur as Socks disappeared behind the shed. ‘I was looking for the cat.’

‘What?’ He got to his feet.

‘Socks. The cat we used to feed.’

‘You nearly gave me a heart attack.’ He threw down the spade and advanced.

Frozen to the spot, she babbled about not being able to sleep, but he wasn’t listening. He stood before her and rested his hands on her shoulders like weights. The baby moved. Thank God for the darkness. It veiled the heat of her face and the shape of her body beneath her coat.

‘Were you spying?’ he said, his face inches from hers.

His breath was cold. It smelled of stale whisky and smoke. But she held still, willing him not to move his hands. If he grabbed her anywhere else, he would surely guess the truth.

‘I’m not,’ she said. ‘I told you. I came to find Socks.’

The animal cried again. Victor jumped and let her go. ‘Are you sure?’

She nodded.

‘Fine. I want you to forget what you’ve seen. Do you understand?’

‘Yes.’

He leaned towards her. ‘Say it.’

‘I’ve forgotten what I’ve seen.’

‘Good girl.’ He straightened, satisfied. ‘Because if you tell anyone, it could be life or death.’

He spoke dramatically. Wiping his hands on his trousers, he stepped away, back to the patch he’d been digging. He stamped on the loosened soil and when he’d finished, grabbed the duffle bag. Reaching inside, he pulled out a wad of money, peeled off several notes and held them out. ‘For your silence,’ he said.

Connie curled her fists. ‘No thanks.’

‘Why not?’

‘Because I don’t know where it’s come from.’

He batted a rose bush. ‘Right here. Kenneth thinks nobody knows about his buried stash, but it’s so obvious. He’s such a fool.’

He laughed unpleasantly and Connie thought about Frank Dennis. Victor was playing a dangerous game. ‘Why are you taking it?’

‘Let’s just say I need it more than Kenneth does.’

‘What do you mean?’

Victor hesitated. ‘Let’s also say that I won’t be knocking on your door for a while. I’m otherwise engaged. Literally.’

‘I don’t understand.’

‘For God’s sake, Connie. It isn’t difficult. I’m engaged to be married.’

‘Who to?’