‘Charlie won’t listen to anything I say about Harlan. But nothing’s ever added up about him, nothing. Not from the very first moment he came into our home. And that’s not me, being crazy. That’s a fact.’ Nula threw the stub of her cigarette to the ground and shakily crushed it with her shoe. ‘Look,’ she said.

Over by the house wall, Nipper was lounging in the sunlight, smoking. He’d been watching them. As Terry’s head swung round toward him, he looked away.

‘Him and the other one, Ludo, they’re always hanging about, watching everyone. They’re Harlan’s men, one hundred per cent. Not Charlie’s. Pretty soon, the manor and everything in it is going to belong to Harlan. You can count on it. And when that day comes, where does that leave me? In the crap, that’s where. He hates me, he always has. Tried to fucking kill me once, I know he did, but he didn’t succeed. And you, as Charlie’s friend, as his right hand? You’re surplus to requirements, mate, that’s what you are.’

‘Go on,’ said Terry.

Nula shrugged. ‘Nothing else to say. Only, if I were you, I’d be getting Belle right out of his way. Abroad somewhere maybe. Because once Harlan’s in charge, her arse is fried. He’s always had a thing for her, and once the brakes are off, he’ll do whatever the fuck he likes with her.’

A muscle was working in Terry’s jaw. ‘He wouldn’t fucking dare,’ he said.

‘You don’t think so?’ Nula gave a thin smile. ‘You’re kidding yourself,’ she said, and walked unsteadily away. Then she turned and strode back to him. ‘It’s our twentieth wedding anniversary in a month.’

‘So?’ It was his and Jill’s twentieth too, just gone; they hadn’t made a fuss over it. He’d bought her some flowers, that was all. Charlie of course would be different. There had been talk for a long while about a big celebration for the event. But now Beezer had upped and died, maybe no one would be in the mood.

Nula shrugged. ‘I’m going ahead with it. Right here. A big party.’

‘You sure?’

‘I’m thinking that it’s what everyone needs after this. And it’s a month away. That’s time enough for it to look decent. I asked Charlie about it before the funeral.’

Terry stuck his hands in his jacket pockets and looked at the ground, then at her. ‘Maybe you’re right. Maybe we could all do with cheering up.’

‘That’s what I thought,’ said Nula. She paused, staring at his face. ‘I meant it, Terry. Every word.’ Then she grinned. ‘Wise words from mad old Nula!’ Then her grin vanished and her eyes skewered him. ‘I got something to ask you. And Terry – I want the truth.’

‘Go on,’ he said cautiously.