‘Sit down.’ Fleur indicated the kitchen table. ‘You’ll have to forgive the mess. I’m a total wreck at present, I’m afraid. I’m so on edge I can’t concentrate on anything.’

This woman wasn’t coping well at all.

When they were all seated, Annie began. ‘The thing is, I was wondering if it might help if we — that’s all the women who’ve had this intruder come into their house — got together and discussed what has happened and how we might help the police.’ She looked hopefully at Fleur. ‘I thought we might be able to work out what connects us and why he stole photographs from us in particular.’

‘That’s been on my mind every moment since it happened. Why take a picture of my Jason?’ She rubbed her hands together nervously.

‘That’s what my mum’s worried about,’ said a small voice. ‘And me too.’

‘How were you thinking of going about it?’ Fleur said.

‘I’m going to try to contact the other two women — Sylvia Wilson and Natalie Miles — and then have you all over to my house for coffee. Maybe if we all get together we’ll be able to solve the puzzle, rather than struggling on alone.’

Fleur nodded vigorously. ‘I’m all for that. Everybody says talking helps, don’t they?’

Annie smiled. ‘Just to start with, I think it best that we don’t tell the police about it. They might discourage us, and then we would lose out on a brilliant support group.’

‘I see what you mean,’ Fleur said, ‘but I’m not very good at telling lies, I’m afraid.’

‘No lies, we just don’t mention it. And if we come up with something, we take it straight to them,’ Annie said.

‘Ah, I see. Okay,’ Fleur said.

‘Well, you’re the first. I’m going to try to hunt down Sylvia Wilson next,’ Annie said. ‘She lives in the Leetoft area of Saltern, and she won’t be so easy to find. I’m not sure who I can ask.’

‘I think I heard one of the police mention that she lived near to where she worked — in a nursery? Plants that is, not children,’ Fleur said.

‘Great! Thanks for that. I’ll check out the nurseries. That’s fantastic, Fleur. We’re on the way!’ Annie fished in her bag. ‘This is my business card, but my telephone number, mobile and email are all on it. I’ll ring as soon as I find the others, and we can all meet up.’

Fleur tore a sheet from a shopping list pad and wrote her details down. ‘I think this will work. I feel better just for talking to you.’

‘Me too,’ Annie said.

‘And me,’ piped up Callum. ‘My mum’s dead bright.’

Fleur laughed. ‘You’re right. I’d certainly never have thought of such a clever idea.’