Elsie thumbed through each of the books, already formulating the one-star reviews she was going to leave. Lazy, gawdawful, porn-level writing. Double crapola, stinky ending, potty-mouthed filth. A smile rose to her lips at the genius of her repertoire. She raised her face to her son as he returned, plate in hand. ‘You’d think if kids were able to get into that creepy old place that law enforcement would too.’

‘It doesn’t work like that,’ Christian called from the kitchen. He emptied a pint of milk into the plastic cat bowls. ‘It all has to be above board. The gate is padlocked. We don’t know how they got in.’

‘That place is evil, pure and simple. The devil’s playground.’ Elsie pulled the wheeled table over as Christian walked in carrying a slab of sandwiches. She wanted to tell him that she was cutting down on calories, but she wasn’t ready. Not yet. ‘I’ll have some of that nice apple pie and cream,’ she said. ‘And don’t forget—’

‘The chocolate milk. Coming right up.’

Elsie stared at the tower of sandwiches, dented by Christian’s fingers where he had pressed into them while cutting them in half. She wished he would wash his hands before preparing food. She lifted each slice of limp bread, carefully checking its contents for cat hairs. Mention of Blackhall Manor was almost enough to steal her appetite away. She made a silent note to pray for the poor souls who lost their lives there. If ever there was a place devoid of the Lord’s attention, it was there.

‘Will you eat with me later?’ she asked, as he rested the litre of chocolate milk on her table. Friday night was pizza night, and a takeaway would be ordered at eight.

‘I ate at work,’ he said, looking longingly at the door. Christian liked to go on his computer game and catch up with his online friends. But the evening stretched out so long in front of her, even five minutes in her son’s company was better than nothing at all.

‘What was the name of that officer you let into Blackhall?’ Elsie countered. ‘It wasn’t Sarah, by any chance?’

‘They were two male officers. Why?’

‘You’ve got to keep this to yourself, mind.’ Elsie smiled, tapping the side of her nose. She waited for Christian to pull up a stool. He lowered his hand to stroke Felix as the cat curled its tail around his legs.

‘She seems a nice enough lady. She deserves to be able to get on with her life. I mean, it’s bad enough, everything she’s been through without people sticking their beaks in, wanting to talk to her.’ With some satisfaction, she watched him drink in her words. It was nice to have his undivided attention for once.

‘I’m not with you. Who are you talking about?’