A long minute later Clare’s arms appeared through the window, then her head. It was as if she was diving through the opening in slow motion. She wriggled then gave a shove from the other side, accompanied by the sound of something ceramic crashing to the floor. Her top half was naked save for her sports bra and she appeared to be covered in some sort of jello-like substance. She got as far as her hips and then stopped.

Clare stretched out her fingers, wiggling them in Jo’s direction. ‘Can you reach my hands? I need you to pull me through.’

Standing on tiptoes, Jo stretched upwards and gripped both of Clare’s hands. An overpowering scent of strawberries suddenly filled her nostrils.

Then from somewhere behind Clare came what sounded like a clap of thunder.

Clare screamed. ‘Pull, for Christ’s sake!’

Jo pulled. There was a brief moment of resistance, then suddenly in one movement Clare fell through the bathroom window landing smack on top of her.

The two women scrambled to their feet.

Clare screamed again. ‘Ow! Shit! Bloody hell.’

Jo was laughing. Uncontrollably.

Clare just stared at her. ‘What’s so bloody funny?’

Jo said, ‘You are. If you will go wading through stinging nettles in nothing but your bra and underpants what do you expect? And what’s that gunge you’ve got all over you?’

Clare broke into a grin. ‘Strawberry shower gel. I told you it was going to be tight.’

By the time Clare and Jo had picked their way through the nettles and round to the front of 46 Compton Street, Stone and his two men had finally broken through to the kitchen. Neil Fuller was standing in his own hallway with his face shoved up against the wall, spread-eagled and in handcuffs. Mark Stone was reading him his rights.

Stone all but threw Fuller towards the two officers who led him away, kicking, biting and swearing, into the back of their squad car. Fuller didn’t so much as glance at Clare.

Mark Stone gallantly offered Clare his jacket which she more than gratefully accepted. ‘I’ll call you an ambulance, we need to get you checked out in a hospital.’

She shook her head. ‘No need. There’s nothing wrong with me, now that maniac’s under lock and key.’

Jo gave her a hard stare. ‘Listen to him, Clare. It won’t do you any harm to let the docs give you the once-over.’ Clare glared at Jo defiantly. But her friend was having none of it. ‘You should see yourself in a mirror – you’re covered in bruises.’

Stone nodded. ‘She’s right, Clare. You’re still in shock.’

Clare rolled her eyes and raised her hands in the air in a gesture of resignation. ‘Alright, I know when I’m beaten. But before you pack me off to A & E there’s something in here you both need to see.’