‘You aren’t kidding, Sam! Now pour me some more wine,’ said Laura. ‘I think I need it tonight. Anyway, I hope you understand why I’ve been so worried lately.’

Jackman poured them all another drink. ‘Yes, I do, and for my part, I’ll try to let you do the job you’re so good at. This man is a lucky bugger to have you all fighting his corner.’

* * *

That night Jackman lay awake, thinking about what had been said. He wondered what on earth could be so wrong with this patient to bring an expert hurrying to the Fens from the other end of the country at such short notice. He had a terrible feeling that Laura was in danger. Before Sam left tomorrow, he would ask him if he would consider staying with them for a while. If his job was going to take him away at night, Sam could be here. The thought of her seeing a dangerous patient alone in the old mill building filled him with dread, but Sam’s presence would give him peace of mind.

Decision made, he tried to sleep. But sleep didn’t come. The nights were becoming difficult for him. As soon as darkness fell, he started to imagine those poor women waking up to find that a menacing stranger had been in their homes. Even now the bastard could be slipping through an unsuspecting woman’s window or treading silently into the room where she slept. He imagined a hand stretching out to touch her skin.

Jackman held Laura tighter, and heard her murmur something in her sleep. ‘Oh, Laura, I have to get him,’ he whispered softly.

‘And I love you too,’ she murmured in her sleep.

Jackman smiled.

* * *

Ratty had mixed feelings about leaving Ma alone at night, but his compulsion to get out of that static had become overwhelming.

It had been a strange day. He’d noticed the Old Bill drive by earlier — they were obviously keeping tabs on him — and he’d made sure they got a good look at him, even going so far as to wave. He hoped they’d clocked his car too, still parked in the same place and now with a film of dust over the windscreen. Ma had been fretful, complaining about her painful ankle and swollen leg, and cursing old age.

When he could stand it no longer, he borrowed his mate’s car and returned to the house he’d seen the night before. Earlier in the day, after the rozzers had gone, he’d driven over in daylight and kept a watch on it for almost an hour. The occupant had gone out for a while, in the little Micra he’d seen in the garage, returning with a couple of bags of shopping. All was as he’d hoped.