‘What are you up to?’ I say out loud in my bungalow. My mind is filled with curiosity and, if I’m being honest with myself, fear, too. Patrick’s choice of words have put me on edge: When you get to our age you don’t want to leave anything behind that might upset those left; the ones who’ll find it.

What precisely did he mean by that? But the most chilling line was his last: I’ll be seeing you. I don’t like the sound of that one bit. Whatever ghosts he needs to lay to rest, I wish he’d leave me out of it. I never did like the man. There was something about him – the way he treated Bern, always mocking him in his supposed loving-brotherly manner. It used to upset me. But Bern would never have a bad word said about Patrick, so I put up with him when Bern was around. For his sake. But I’ve no desire to do so now. No need to. If he’s planning on hanging around for a while, I’ll just have to ensure I avoid any contact.

As I’m having a shower to liven myself up, a thought strikes me. Is Patrick back in Stockwood to see Nick? I can’t see a good reason why he’d want to; he never played the kind, affectionate uncle before, therefore all I can conclude is it would be for a bad reason.

I wonder if Nick is the person he wants to unburden himself on before “meeting his maker”.

My heart flutters furiously.

Over my dead body.

Chapter Sixty-Six

Amber

Richard picks up on the second ring. ‘You okay? What’s happened? Is something wrong?’ he says before I’ve even said hello.

‘Why would you automatically assume something is wrong?’ I laugh. But it’s obvious; each call I’ve made to him lately has been verging on the hysterical, so his natural assumption is I’m calling because there’s been yet another drama.

‘Sorry. It’s being so far away from you, Amber; it puts me on edge knowing you’re going through things I have little control over.’

This is a nice sentiment, though I just wish he’d say, “I’ll drop everything, babe – come down right away.” But, I know that’s asking too much. At least he hasn’t immediately said he’s too busy at work to talk long, so that’s something.

‘Well, it is difficult at the moment, and yes, there are things going on.’

‘Like?’