‘Oh, Lou. This is why we’re all so worried for you, don’t you see? Brian confided in me that you were suffering from hallucinations, strange visions that meant you were unsure of what was real and what was a dream. You have to accept this could be happening now, with all this nonsense about Tiff.’ Oliver put a hand on her shoulder and gave it a squeeze. ‘I feel responsible, in part at least – me telling you about the woman; well, that must’ve tipped you over the edge. I’m so sorry.’ He smiled, and Louisa had an uncontrollable urge to slap his face. She clasped her hands together, taking a huge, ragged breath.

She knew what she’d seen and heard. It had been real. Tiff had been in her kitchen, had told her about Oliver visiting her and then she’d taken the drone. Had they talked about Brian and Oliver? She shook her head. Yes, yes – of course they had. She mustn’t let Oliver put doubt in her mind. They had that conversation, they’d had that argument and Louisa had said things she regretted.

If only it weren’t real, if only it had been a hallucination. But it wasn’t.

‘Let’s stick to the here and now then, shall we? Come in.’ She stepped aside to allow Oliver to pass her. She slipped her phone out of her jeans pocket and tapped the voice recorder icon before pocketing it again. This was one conversation she wanted to know for sure wouldn’t be questioned later down the line.

‘Here’s your coffee,’ Louisa said, handing Oliver the mug. She then sat at the wooden table in the seat opposite him. She repositioned herself so that her right side was closest to him, so her phone could pick up his voice clearly.

‘Thank you. Here’s your card,’ he said, sliding the envelope across the table. She thanked him without taking it, leaving it unopened in the middle.

Oliver sighed. ‘Right, let’s start again, shall we? I hate feeling there’s animosity, any mistrust, between us, Lou-Lou.’

‘Me too.’ She smiled. ‘First though, I should apologise for being snappy with you and saying that about Melissa.’

Oliver flicked his hand in the air, brushing away her apology. ‘No need. It’s a really stressful time for both of us, bound to hit snags.’

‘Yes, well. Have the police been in contact?’

‘Only to say they’ve followed up all the information they’d received, which wasn’t a lot anyway, and now they’ve hit another wall. No new leads, Lou.’ He hung his head. ‘It’s only a matter of time isn’t it, before they give up totally?’

‘I think you should stay hopeful. Unless there’s any reason you know of that you shouldn’t.’

‘What do you mean?’