‘Oh, you know, lose this money, transfer that to here or there – small-time stuff to minimise the money they should pay to the taxman. That sort of thing.’

‘Why haven’t I, or anyone else I’ve asked, seen Wayne, Davina? It’s like he doesn’t exist outside of your own mind.’

She sighs. ‘He keeps well below the radar. He leaves early most days, returns late. Or just stays at home. At times, over the years, he’s stayed away for weeks, too. No idea where – he never discusses it.’ Davina pauses, and she gazes out the window, her shoulders slumping. ‘Plus, he goes out of the village – out of town, even – for any appointments, doesn’t socialise with locals,’ she continues, her eyes returning to mine now. She gives a pitiful smile. ‘It’s surprising, if you’re quiet and don’t ever make a fuss, don’t insert yourself into village life, how you can be virtually invisible. Strangely, I always felt the need to make up for him – for his lack of presence, community spirit – that’s why I’m often out, talking to the neighbours, trying so hard to fit in.’

So, maybe Wayne is real after all. ‘What else did they want him to do?’ I ask.

‘They knew there was a lot of money to be made in Stockwood. All that untapped land behind Apple Grove – going to waste as far as they were concerned. If they could get hold of it and cram as many houses in as they could, they’d make a killing. And being that the village would eventually be large enough to warrant new shops, a bigger school – they believed they could expand the site massively in the future. They offered him so much money to help them ensure plans would be passed, then land bought.’

‘Didn’t go to plan though, did it?’

‘No, they hit various snags. But the owners weren’t going to let small setbacks hinder their progress; their vision.’

‘How could he do it, Davina? And just to line his pockets?’

‘He’s always been a greedy man. And he has a nasty streak.’ Davina’s hand rises to touch her cheek. ‘The sums of money they were offering were too great for him to turn down. We were going to leave Stockwood as soon as he was paid.’

‘Not even hang around to see the devastation he caused. Nice.’

‘Didn’t I mention he’s a coward too?’

‘But you were going along with it. You were going to leave with him, I take it?’

Davina’s shoulders fall. ‘I know. I didn’t say he was the only coward,’ she says.

‘Seems this village has a few of those,’ I say. ‘Not like Wayne was the only one to be swayed by the promise of money.’

‘Carl, you mean?’

‘Yep. That slippery bastard. Selfish and immoral.’