Monkey A was his first cuddly monkey. Barb gave it to him when he was one. Since then he’s collected cuddly monkeys and named them, predictably, Monkey B, Monkey C and so on. He’s on Monkey T now, but his first is always his go-to one when he’s frightened.

‘Of course.’

And it’s as though he can sense I don’t want to be on my own either. This business about only twelve of the thirteen people making it out of my home has really creeped me out.

However, it seems I was wrong about there being an intruder tonight, more so that it was Carl. All the same, tomorrow I’m paying him a visit. One, to find out about the open house, and two, to take my key from him – this episode has given me cause for concern and I’d rather know I have the key in my possession. From now on, he’ll have to arrange any viewings with my knowledge and I’ll give him the key and get him to return it after each one.

Maybe I’ll be really lucky and Carl will have already lined up a buyer from the open house – then I won’t have to worry about any of this anymore. It’s a shame I can’t just leave all this house-selling business to Nick and pack me and the boys up and head to Kent, stay with Richard. But, sadly, Leila, Richard’s ex-wife, isn’t being as accommodating as Nick – although guilt plays a huge part in his amenability. Until I sell my house, Richard’s tied up financially without much hope of being able to afford another mortgaged property.

With Leo now settled in the bed beside me, I pray I can drift off to sleep despite my mind working overtime.

The morning light can’t come soon enough for me.

Chapter Sixteen

Amber

‘Mum! Mum, where’s my PE kit?’

‘Hang on, Finley. I’ll be there in a sec,’ I shout, my voice muted as my head’s currently jammed inside the dishwasher. The stupid clip on the runner has come off again. I’m fed up with having to fish it out and struggle to pop it back in place again every time I use it. I should wash it all by hand, but admittedly, shoving it in the dishwasher means I can make the place look tidier more quickly. Just in case of viewings.

‘I left it there. Now it’s gone,’ he whines.

I wince as I bang my head on the metal door when I try to manoeuvre myself back out. ‘Shit!’