‘The one you got before you went out last night.’

‘Oh, that. That was Cora giving me an update about her mother. She’s still with us, bless her.’

Some time later the police come to my house. Two of them, not Marsh, standing on my doorstep, asking to see Tim. I back into the hall as they advance.

‘Tim,’ I say, keeping my eyes on them. ‘You have visitors.’

‘On my way.’

He comes out of the kitchen holding a mug, a puzzled smile on his face that disappears when he sees the uniformed officers. I show them into the front room and close the door, listening for long enough to hear one of the officers ask why he’d met Anna last night. Apparently, they were seen by a barmaid outside the Queen’s Arms. Tim responded that it hadn’t been a pre-arranged meeting, he’d just happened to bump into her. Then I move away. Tim met Anna? Why didn’t he say so earlier? What is he hiding?

Five minutes later the three of them appear. Tim is pale.

‘What’s happening?’ I ask.

‘It’s nothing to worry about. I’m helping these fellows with their inquiries. Now don’t worry, Grace. I’ll be fine. I’ll come straight home.’

‘Shall I phone Cora?’ I wince as I say it, imagining her reaction.

Tim looks at me in horror. ‘No. It’s lovely of you to offer, but Cora has enough to worry about with her mother. It’s a mistake. It’ll be cleared up in a trice.’

I follow them outside, watch Tim being escorted to the car, the door being opened. He looks straight ahead as they drive off. I feel a presence at my side and turn to find Kai standing next to me.

‘Why’ve they taken Lottie’s grandad?’ he asks.

‘I don’t know.’

‘Is he under arrest?’ His tone is more interested than dismayed.

‘No, he’s not. They just need some information from him.’

‘But they did that thing … when the policeman pushes the criminal’s head down to make him go in the car.’

‘I think that was to make sure he didn’t hit his head on the door frame.’

I chivvy Kai inside and settle him down with his book then open my laptop and try to work, but I can’t focus. I’m not sure I believe Tim about the text. It could have been Anna asking him to meet her, wanting to confront him about the past the police will check. The idea of Tim using violence on a woman is hard to accept, but who knows what people are capable of, if pushed too far.

I drum my fingers on the table top until Kai looks up and frowns. I’ve been awake most of the night and the morning feels endless, the minutes ticking away. I keep the landline and my mobile close to hand.