‘He said he talks to her every day. He said he was going to tell her yesterday that he’d be staying with Julia, rather than say he was going to a sleep clinic. He always gives the impression that he spends a lot of time with her.’ Laura rubbed at a corner of one of the windows and tried to peer inside. ‘Curtains are pulled. It’s hard to see in, the windows are so dirty. How can he leave her in such a state? Poor woman! And he boasts about how much he cares for her and how he built her this specially designed granny annexe. From the way he spoke, I thought she’d be living in a little palace. And look at it!’

Sam was making his way along the side of the building. ‘It must have been quite something a few years back,’ he said. ‘These modular buildings cost a pretty penny all right. There’s a patio door further round. Let’s take a look. Maybe she’s fallen asleep in front of the telly.’

Laura followed him, more concerned with every step. What if the flat wasn’t the only thing he was neglecting? ‘Maybe this wasn’t the best idea after all, Sam.’

Sam was standing on a small suntrap patio outside what was undoubtedly her lounge, shielding his eyes to peer in through the glass doors. They had vertical blinds, and Sam was trying to look between them. After a few moments, he turned and stared at her. ‘I pray I’m wrong, but I think I can see a foot sticking out from behind a sofa. I think she’s had a fall!’

‘I’ll call an ambulance,’ she said, pulling out her phone.

‘Hold up for a moment.’ Sam looked undecided. ‘I really couldn’t see much through those blinds. It could just be a discarded shoe, and then we’ll have called them out for nothing. We need to get inside and see if this is a real emergency or not. She could be out with Freddie, shopping, or at a doctor’s appointment or something.’

They searched for a way in, finally discovering that the door to the kitchen was not as secure as the main doors. Sam gripped the handle hard and shook it. ‘There’s a lot of play there. A few years ago I would have put my shoulder to it, but I daren’t after my arm injury. We need something to prise it open with.’

Laura saw a small wooden shed on the edge of the lawn and ran across to it. It was unlocked, and inside was a jumble of junk and garden tools. She grabbed a small spade and ran back to Sam.

‘Perfect.’ He wedged the blade edge between door and frame and wrenched it back. The lock popped at his first attempt, and the door flew open.