As she put her key in the lock and began to turn, the front door flew open. Behind it stood her father, glaring.

‘Dad?’

‘See that car?’ He was pointing at a black Ford Galaxy a few spaces along the street.

She followed the line of his finger. Inside were two men, sitting side by side, doing nothing. One of their heads turned towards them. She glared back, determined not to show alarm. ‘What about it?’

‘Reckon I’ve seen it here before. See those men inside?’

Sara affected to look more thoroughly. Should she tell him? ‘Maybe I did. Last night. But nothing to worry about. Probably just minicab drivers waiting for a hire.’

‘They’re not local,’ said Tariq. ‘I don’t like it. I’m going to check it out.’

‘No, Dad, leave it,’ she said with force. But he was away, too late to stop him.

She watched as he neared the car and tapped on the driver’s window. It was lowered and words exchanged; she knew her father’s would be querulous. She should somehow have stopped him. The passenger got out, came round and approached Tariq. He was big and broad, the playground bully standing over his prey. He bent down, whispered briefly in Tariq’s ear and straightened, holding his ground. Tariq took a step back, appeared to say a few words, put his hands together, bowed and withdrew. The window slid back up; the passenger returned to his seat. The car remained silent and still.

The cloudburst broke as he retraced his steps. ‘Let’s get inside,’ he said, rejoining her, rain flattening his hair, fear creasing his face. ‘What’s going on, Sara?’

‘What did they say, Dad? Who were they?’

‘Not sure. One was a Scottish-sounding gentleman, the other rougher, London rough. They told me to be careful what I said, all they were doing was keeping an eye on you for your own safety. For your protection. I said I was quite capable of protecting you. Then the big fellow who got out whispered in my ear, “You just keep out of it, little man. This is way, way above your pay grade. Now you just fucking get inside that house of yours and stop asking questions.” I tell you, Sara, he frightened me. He was scary.’

She put her arms on his shoulders. ‘I’m so sorry, Dad. You should never be near any of this.’

‘Of what, for heaven’s sake? It’s that Morahan. His letter to you. Him dying so strangely. You should not have got involved. I should never have encouraged you.’

She hugged him and drew back. ‘It’s fine, I promise. I too don’t know what it’s all about yet but it will blow over. His death was an accident. Some people get a little over-excited, that’s all.’

He frowned. ‘I wish I could be sure. For God’s sake, take care.’