George had watched his film and was now feeling relaxed and cheerful. He turned off the video and sat smiling to himself. No more Elaine. No more having to be polite.

His face darkened. No more alibi.

Then he brightened. His mind was working overtime. If he planned everything just right, he could get away with it all.

If he went away for a while and then came back he could say that Elaine had left him. If he went to Edith’s in Florida he could say it had happened out there. And now that he was redundant he could sell this house and be free. The more he thought, the more viable it all seemed.

He felt absolutely wonderful. He was so clever! He patted himself on the back. Cleverer than a bag of monkeys.

But what was he going to do with Elaine? He would have to hide her away somewhere. He thought of burying her in the garden but dismissed the idea immediately.

He would put her right under everyone’s nose, and still they wouldn’t find her. All he had to do was have a good old think . . .

The phone rang and he jumped in his seat. The harsh tones echoed around the silent house, upsetting George. He crept out into the hallway and picked up the offending instrument.

‘Hello, George. Margaret here. How’s Elaine?’

He felt his heart begin to race.

‘Oh, she’s fine, Margaret, feeling a bit better . . . I doubt she’ll be in this week though.’

‘Can I have a word?’

‘She’s sleeping at the moment. I’ll tell her you called though, Margaret, she’ll be sorry to have missed you.’

‘Okey doke then, I’ll ring her later in the week. ’Bye.’

George replaced the receiver.

The whole conversation had taken less than two minutes, but to him it had seemed like a fortnight.

He stormed out to the kitchen, his temper flaring. Elaine was still sprawled on the kitchen floor, her sightless eyes staring at the skirting board.

‘That was your friend Margaret. Checking up on you as usual. Are you listening to me?’

George knelt down and pulled her head up by her flame-coloured hair. He looked ferociously into her face.

‘You’re nothing but trouble, Elaine. That’s all you’ve ever been.’

Then, as if the reality of events suddenly hit him, he cradled her head in his arms and began to cry.

Evelyn heard the door knocker and went out to the hall to answer it. She could hear loud music coming from Lizzy’s room and smiled to herself as she wiped her hands on her apron. The child was like a young girl should be now, and that thought cheered her.

She opened the front door. Patrick Kelly was standing there.

‘Oh, hello. Kate isn’t here, but come away in anyhow. I was just going to have a coffee.’