The sound of the car engine grows louder. The gears crunch as they slip down from third to second as the hill takes its toll, but they’re speeding up not slowing down. What if they’re not local? What if it’s a stag do that’s been camping down on Griffiths’ Farm, and they’re pissed after a night out in town? The car revs its engine and I speed up. I rock from side to side, and my thighs burn as I climb, climb, climb up the hill. There’s a side road down to a farm about a hundred metres away. I can pull in there, and then—

The first thing I feel is a jolt and, for a split-second, I think I’m okay – the car just clipped me and I’ve managed to stay upright – but then my hands feel as though they’re ripped from the handlebars and my stomach falls away as I’m lifted into the air. High, high, high in the air. I hang there forever, and then …

And then the air is knocked from my lungs and there’s a searing pain in the side of my face and everything goes black.

“Jane? Will’s here to see you, sweetheart.”

Someone strokes my left hand and I peel open my eyes. My right eye is still sealed shut, so swollen from my fall that I can’t see through it. I peer at Sheila through my left eye.

“Will?” I croak.

“I called him. I thought you’d want him to take you home rather than me.”

“Hello, Jane.”

His face is clouded with worry as he crosses the room and stoops to kiss me.

“You look awful.”

I try to smile but it hurts. “Thanks.”

“I’ll give you some time alone.” Sheila pats my hand. “And don’t you worry about Green Fields. It wasn’t your fault. The police are checking the CCTV. They’ll catch the buggers.”

“Thanks, Sheila.”

“Will said he’ll take you home. You rest up and I’ll pop by and see you tomorrow. Drink if you can.” She pours me a glass of water from the jug by the bed, presses it into my good hand then scoops up her enormous handbag from the chair and breezes out of the room.

Will, still hovering by the left side of the bed, takes her seat and pulls it close. “How are you feeling?”

“Bruised.”

“Is there anything I can do?” He glances at the full cup of water in my hand. “Do you need a straw?”

I try to shake my head, and grimace.

“Sheila told me about the break-in,” Will says. “Thank God none of the animals were hurt.”