He spoke to her, words of endearment, but she didn’t hear him, didn’t want to hear him as she felt seven months of abstinence build, sending her spiralling up and up until she exploded with him and he fell on top of her, panting with exertion.

She could feel his hot breath on her cheek. She closed her eyes, letting the feeling of calm that followed the storm fill her and prevent her brain from processing the ramifications of what she had just done.

‘Oh my God . . . that was . . . amazing, just amazing,’ Patrick murmured. ‘I’ve missed you so much.’

Jazz remained silent in the darkness, not wanting to move on from the moment.

‘I love you, Jazz. I truly do. I’m begging you to forgive me.’

Jazz stared into the blackness. ‘Patrick, I forgave you a long time ago.’

Angelina had taken another Valium an hour ago, but it didn’t seem to have affected the churning in her stomach or the abnormally fast beating of her heart.

Standing in the kitchen in her robe, she leaned over the sink looking out at the back garden, the spotlights illuminating the fairy-tale scene outside.

She padded across the kitchen, opened a cupboard and took out the brandy bottle. She poured herself a double, took the drink to the kitchen table and sat down. She took a large swig, the unfamiliar strength making her gag.

She checked her watch. It was nearly half past ten. Was it too late to call the police?

Then a thought struck her. Was it possible Julian’s disappearance was connected with Rory? And to David’s release?

Did David blame Julian in some way for what had happened? Would he have gone to see him last night, after he was released?

Was he unstable enough to kill him?

Angelina gave a little cry of anguish.

Was she being ridiculous?

She stood up and paced round the kitchen.

No. Less than twenty-four hours ago, David was being held on suspicion of murder. A murder he had openly admitted to.

She shook her head. Here she was, considering seriously that her ex-husband had murdered her lover.

Angelina washed out her glass and left it to drain. She locked all the doors and went upstairs.

She climbed into bed and reached for her book, trying to regain some semblance of normality, of her life before this nightmare had happened.

But she couldn’t concentrate.

She put down the book and lay very still as she thought through all the possibilities.

Was it as simple as Julian having enough of the situation with Rory and David, and deciding to leave her? Perhaps, but that didn’t explain why he would abandon his clients and work.

No.

Had some terrible accident befallen him in the dreadful weather? Was he lying somewhere in need of help, but unable to call?

Possibly.

Angelina reached for the mobile lying on the empty pillow beside her and dialled his number one more time.

No answer.