‘Yes, that one. Only I got a cheap version and didn’t bother paying for the subscription, so I can’t record. Anyway, I watched on my mobile and saw thirteen people go inside the house—’

‘Unlucky for some.’

I shoot him a look now – it’s no joking matter.

‘Sorry,’ he mutters. ‘Go on.’

‘Thirteen went in, but I only counted twelve leave again’ – I take a quick breath then carry on before he can say the inevitable line – ‘and no, I didn’t miscount.’ I don’t add the words ‘I don’t think I miscounted,’ because I need him not to doubt me.

‘And then what? You walked back home with the boys?’

‘Yes. I made sure I checked the house before letting the boys in, but no one was there.’

‘Obviously. Otherwise this would be a very different conversation.’ Nick shifts his weight from one leg to the other and stares ahead of him, a thoughtful look on his face. It’s now that Finley and Leo spot him and come haring across to us. Both of them launch into Nick, almost knocking him over.

‘Whoa, steady on, lads, you trying to kill your old man?’

‘You’re not old, Daddy.’ Leo laughs. ‘Nanna is old.’

‘Don’t let Nanna hear you say that, you cheeky monkey!’ Nick squeezes them both, holding them close for what feels like minutes.

‘Are you taking us out?’ Finley asks when Nick finally releases him from his bear hug.

‘Um …’ Nick looks to me and shrugs. ‘What do you think, Mummy?’

Nick’s asking my permission in fear of a repeat of last week, I’m sure.

‘Let’s just see, shall we?’

‘See what?’ Leo asks.

‘Well, if we have something exciting to eat at home, then Daddy can stay for tea and we can play some games – but if not, then yes, why not?’

I’m trying to hedge my bets with both options. Because if Nick finds some evidence someone has been, or worse, is still in the house, then we won’t be staying. If he doesn’t, then maybe I’ll have to accept I was wrong, and try to forget the whole thing.

‘Yay!’ Leo does a funny little dance around us.

‘Come on then,’ Nick says. ‘I’ll drive us back, then you stay in the car while we check if there’s anything good to eat and if not, we’ll head straight for …’

‘Maccies!’ both boys scream. The pinnacle of good, healthy, nutritious food. But I don’t argue. I haven’t the energy.

On the short drive home, while Finley and Leo chat excitedly in the back, I quietly tell Nick my further concerns: the fuse box, the moving furniture – and when he parks up outside the house, Nick makes me wait in the car, too. My entire body is tense as I keep my eyes glued to the front door.