‘Coffee will be fine, I’m driving myself tonight. Where’s your mother?’

‘She’s in bed. I gave her a sleeping pill. All this with Lizzy has really hit her hard.’ Kate was amazed at how normal she sounded.

‘How’s Lizzy?’

‘Better. She seems to be thriving on being somewhere different. I know that sounds crazy but from what her doctor said, hospital can often be a stress-free environment. It gives people time to gather their thoughts, make decisions without any outside pressure. I only hope it works for Lizzy.’

She walked out to the kitchen and put the kettle on. The only light out there was from the tube lighting under the worktops. She left the overhead lights off. Patrick followed her out and slipped off his coat. He could see her body through the thin dressing gown and felt a stirring within him. Going to her, he slipped his arms around her waist.

Turning, Kate put her arms around his neck and pulled his face down to hers. Suddenly, she wanted him desperately. He was dangerous to her, she knew that. He lived his life taking what he wanted. He was a rogue, a villain, but he was also the most exciting man she had ever come across. She could ruin her career with this association, but at this moment she did not care.

He was there, he wanted her, and, oh God, how she wanted him. After the set-to with Dan, she wanted to be held, to be loved, to feel wanted and desirable.

He undid the belt of her dressing gown and rubbed her breasts gently. Kate moaned in his ear. After tasting the delights of Patrick Kelly, you found yourself willing to run risks.

She abandoned herself to him, unaware that Dan was watching them through the kitchen window. As he saw his wife, as he still thought of Kate, put her long legs around Patrick Kelly’s waist, he felt pure hatred.

And now he had something to use against her. He would go and see the Chief Constable. See what he thought about the situation. He crept away from the window.

But he was already learning one thing: the prospect of revenge was not sweet at all. It left a bitter aftertaste.

Elaine and Hector Henderson had enjoyed themselves thoroughly and she tiptoed into the house at twelve thirty. As she heaved her substantial bulk up the stairs, George spoke to her from the darkness and she screamed at the top of her considerable voice.

‘Oh, George! You bloody fool! You nearly gave me a sodding heart attack!’

He clicked on the hallway light and saw a red and flustered Elaine sitting on the bottom stair, her hands over her heart. The wild red hair that she had backcombed earlier looked as if it had been set on end by an electric shock.

‘Sorry, my love. You’re very late.’

‘What were you doing sitting in the dark, waiting for me to come in? Are you checking up on me, George Markham?’