‘Yes, it’s true. We’re having a baby, Adam.’

He wouldn’t kill her if he knew she was carrying his child. She had to believe that, or she wouldn’t have the strength to face him when he opened the door.

‘I didn’t kill anyone,’ he said.

‘I know you didn’t.’ She hoped she sounded sincere enough to convince him.

‘You mean that?’

‘I really do.’

‘How do I know you’re not telling me what I want to hear,’ he said, ‘just so I’ll let you out?’

‘I wouldn’t lie about being pregnant.’

‘And you swear, on the baby’s life, that you won’t tell anyone that Vivienne wanted a divorce?’

‘I swear.’ She crossed her fingers, hoping it was enough to ward off any bad luck.

‘Okay.’

She wanted to whoop and cheer. Instead, she whispered her thanks and stood back so he could open the door. She heard the clink of metal as he put the key into the lock. And right then, the doorbell rang.

‘Who the hell is that?’ Adam muttered.

‘It doesn’t matter,’ Clodagh said. ‘Whoever it is, they’ll go away. Please, Adam. Let me out?’

But he was already walking away. She could hear his footsteps as he hurried down the stairs, leaving her trapped inside the tiny room.

‘Adam!’ She banged on the door, but he didn’t answer.

The doorbell rang again. She waited for him to open the door, straining her ears for the sound of voices but nothing happened. And then she heard a noise she recognised: the creak of the bifold doors in the kitchen sliding open. She ran to the window, climbed on top of the broken printer so she could see through the glass. At first, she didn’t see anyone. Then a figure appeared. Adam. Running across the lawn towards the gate at the end of the garden. When he reached the gate, he pulled it open and kept running, disappearing into the woods.

‘Doesn’t look like there’s anyone home,’ Sam said.

Ade had offered to stay at the station, giving Sam the opportunity to come to Bramhurst with Rachel.

‘What’s his car doing in the driveway then?’ Rachel said, pressing the doorbell again.

‘They could have gone for a walk,’ Sam said. ‘Or taken a taxi somewhere, or they’ve more than likely got several cars. Either way, I’d say we’re wasting our time here, Rach.’

Rachel wanted to tell him his observations and advice were remarkably unhelpful but she managed to keep her mouth shut.

‘Let’s take a look around the back,’ she said. ‘Just in case.’

They walked around the house, peering through the windows of each room, searching for any sign of life.

‘Told you,’ Sam said, as they reached the back of the house. ‘This place is empty.’