Ellie followed her into the second waiting room. Charlotte was asleep on the couch. “Dead to the world, poor kid,” said Milly, pulling up a metal stand. “Probably best.” Donning a pair of latex gloves, she took out the pale material with tweezers and spread it out. “Weird.” She picked it up and held it to the light. “Oh God,” she said at last. “God.”

She returned the material to the envelope and peeled off the gloves. “What is it?”

Milly motioned Ellie back into the waiting room. “God, I could murder a fag.”

“And you a doctor.”

“Don’t act like you never get cravings too. And I don’t mean for Jones’ body.” Milly clasped her small hands together, as if to pray. “It’s skin.”

“What?”

“Think it’s the top layer, the epidermis. Looks as if it’s been treated somehow, like a preservative. Toughened up.”

“When you say skin –”

Milly was shaking a little. “Can’t be a hundred per cent, not just by looking. But… yeah, think it’s human.”

Ellie sagged back in her chair. “If I ever needed to get through to Matlock…”

Milly bit her lip.

“What?”

“I dunno.” She touched the gold cross again. “Just thought – maybe they’ve got problems of their own.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Why aren’t the roads cleared, Ell? Council’s always got a plough and a gritter going up the North Road, weather like this. Seen one today?”

“Not really noticed, Milly, what with everything.”

“Bet it’s not been cleared. Maybe this – you know, whatever it is – maybe it’s not just happening here.”

“We back on Judgement Day again? Milly, come on. Got enough to deal with right now, without you going –”

Milly folded her arms. “Without me going what?”

“Sorry. Look. Right now we’ve got –” Ellie made a helpless gesture “– whatever the hell’s out there to deal with. Last thing I need is for you to start going off on one about the end of the world. I’m responsible for these people. Barsall. Okay? I need your help for that.”

“Fine.”

“Milly, I’m not having a go at your faith.”

“Sounded like it.”