I sit upright, straining to see them. They remain in the doorway of the house for a few seconds, then begin walking up the path. My mouth drops open as I note Carl’s hand on the small of the woman’s back. It lingers there. Carl gives a furtive look around, says something close to the woman’s ear, then they both part and walk in opposite directions. As Carl nears his car, he adjusts his tie, then tucks a piece of his shirt back into his trousers before climbing in.

Neither of us speak. Davina’s previous words play out in my head: Carl always brings the same people to your house.

I’m betting they were all female.

I break the silence. ‘Davina? Do you remember saying you’d seen Carl taking the same people inside my house on several occasions?’

‘Yes,’ she says, looking at me intently.

‘Did they all happen to be women?’

‘Apart from one occasion when I saw him with a man, yes; the rest have all been young, mostly blonde, women …’

A shudder ripples through my body. Could Carl be conducting his illicit affairs in my property while he’s supposedly showing around prospective buyers? It was one thing thinking about strangers traipsing through my house criticising it, it’s quite another to even contemplate my estate agent using my house to have sex in. Of all the things I’d been worried about, that hadn’t been one of them. But now, thanks to Davina dragging me into this detective work, it is.

I’m disgusted. Blondes are obviously his preferred type. Miss Emery is also blonde. I can’t remember if I’ve seen his wife, but I’m guessing she’ll have the same colouring. I can’t believe I didn’t put two and two together as soon as Yolande mentioned he’d done it in her house.

‘Christ,’ I say. ‘He’s been using my house, too, hasn’t he?’

Davina makes a face. ‘Seems likely. You also said he was reluctant to give your key back, so that fits with him wanting to come and go as he pleases. If you pardon the pun.’

‘Ew, Davina!’ I squirm. I can’t believe he’d have the nerve to do it.

‘But now he hasn’t got immediate access to yours, he’s probably using here. And any other places on his agency’s books.’

‘What a creep.’

‘What are you going to do about it?’

‘You mean apart from change estate agents? I don’t know. Report him to the relevant standards agency, I guess.’

‘I think we should wait. Gather further evidence.’

‘Really? Why?’

‘You said you’ve had strange goings-on in your house since the open house event that Carl arranged.’

‘Well, yes, but …’

‘I’m not trying to frighten you, but what if he does more than just take other females into his houses?’