I wait until they’re out of sight and I can no longer hear the car’s engine, then I walk confidently up to the front door, pop the key in the lock and walk in, closing the door quickly behind me. I breathe out slowly and steadily for a minute or so. My heart is beating like a rabbit about to be skinned.

I’m confident Amber doesn’t suspect me of getting keys cut for myself. I was quick to take the two keys to her after the locksmith had finished, carefully timing it as though I’d got the 11 a.m. bus, which would’ve got me into town at 11.20 a.m. But as it happened, when I was waiting at the bus stop, Eric – our old postie – had stopped and offered me a lift into town. I couldn’t pass it up. It was perfect timing and gave me the opportunity I needed to get in earlier.

I don’t dally now; I go straight upstairs to Amber’s bedroom. I carefully unhook the picture from the wall. I try not to look at the boy and kitten for long, but a few seconds is all it takes for my mind to flash back in time. I should’ve destroyed it there and then, not just hidden it in the shed to burn at a later date. How did I forget to do it? My mind must’ve been all over the place. And now, all these years later it’s appeared on Amber’s wall. It’s here to haunt me. My fingers tremble as I lay the picture on the bed and open the bag I’ve brought with me. Without looking into the little boy’s eyes, I slip it inside. I sit on the bed because my legs feel so shaky; I need a few moments to gather myself.

I was stupid to leave the job undone back then. I won’t make that same mistake now.

I’m going to take it home and burn it.

Chapter Fifty-One

Amber

‘This is a waste of time, Davina. He’s just showing someone around a house. Not exactly mind-blowing. And it tells us nothing, does it? I don’t even know what I’m doing here.’

‘Patience.’ Davina tuts. ‘He’s been in there for just over thirty minutes.’

‘Yes. And?’

‘How long does it take to walk around a house?’

‘Well, I don’t know, but he’s probably being thorough.’

‘I bet he is,’ Davina mutters. ‘He’s up to no good, Amber. I’d put money on it.’

Another fifteen minutes pass and even I’m beginning to believe it now. I’m also beginning to worry about how long this is taking. I can’t afford to be late to pick the boys up – once was bad enough.

‘Here we go,’ Davina says and lifts her phone to record again.