‘You said you wanted to lose weight and well … I thought this would help. There’s some pamphlets too.’ She glanced uncertainly at Elsie as she rested them on the table. ‘I got them from the doctors’. I got some smellies too. Candles, body butter, hair products … just some things to make you feel nice.’

And smell nicer than I do now too, Elsie thought, as she cast an eye over the products. Her thoughts darkened. This was a lot of expense. ‘Why are you doing this? Because I ain’t no charity case. Christian looks after me. We’re doing OK.’ In Elsie’s experience, people didn’t give stuff away for free – not unless they wanted something in return.

Sarah pursed her lips. ‘I feel like I owe you. Maggie and I … well, we should have made more of an effort in school. It must have been a lonely time for you.’

‘Water under the bridge.’ Elsie twisted the lid from a container of body butter and gave it a sniff. It smelled as coconutty as a Bounty bar. In truth, the scars of the past would never leave her. Things could have been different if she’d had someone to confide in. Not just for her, but for Christian too.

‘Well, I’m here for you now, even if I wasn’t back then. Anything you need to help you on your journey.’ She patted Elsie’s hand. ‘You can do this.’ Elsie warmed at the sentiment. It was a long time since anyone believed in her. She gave Sarah a furtive smile.

‘Maybe some evening you could come over. I’m not very good with the internet and I could do with some help ordering …’ She lowered her voice as she leaned in. ‘Ladies’ underwear.’

‘Of course!’ Sarah said cheerfully. ‘I’ll bring my laptop.’ She checked her watch. ‘God, is that the time? I’d best get to work.’

Elsie gave her a knowing nod. ‘You must be busy with everything that’s happened. I’m surprised you found time to come here.’ Felix jumped back onto the bed, giving Sarah the evil eye. His tail thumped against the blanket rhythmically, a puff of white powder rising with each signal of discontent.

‘Yes, it’s tragic, what happened to Angelica,’ Sarah said.

‘I didn’t mean Angelica,’ Elsie continued, her cat arching as she stroked his fur. ‘I’m talking about last night. Honestly, if my Christian hadn’t found her when he did … I dread to think what could have happened to that poor girl.’

Sarah stared at her as if she was speaking a foreign language. ‘I’m not with you.’

Elsie looked at her curiously. ‘Didn’t you know? I figured with you being in law enforcement an’ all … My Christian. He’s a hero. He saved that missing girl.’

‘What missing girl?’ Sarah’s brows knitted together. ‘Saved her from what?’