‘Right.’ His tone was cautious. Wondering where I was going with this probably, as well he might. Then he said, ‘Listen, I think you might be right. About your neighbour, who she is.’ He explained that an Eleanor Sullivan had come to the hospital, asking about her husband. ‘She had all these questions – were doctors open to blackmail, what happens when an accident victim comes in. Is your neighbour a dark-haired woman, lovely hands?’

‘That’s her. Did she say why she was there?’

‘No.’ I heard his sigh down the phone and suddenly, irrationally, wished to be wherever he was. I imagined a cosy bachelor flat, with some hearty food, a bottle of good red wine. I had no idea if he was married or not. Maybe he didn’t wear a wedding ring, or maybe he had a live-in girlfriend, or even boyfriend. I reminded myself I knew nothing about him. ‘I was worried. She seemed . . . not entirely stable.’

If Nora had been in Guildford today, she would surely come home soon. And then what? Things couldn’t go on as they had. If I spoke to her again, I knew I couldn’t pretend I didn’t know the truth – but what would she do to me then, if there was nothing more to hide? What reason would she have not to execute her plan, whatever that was? I said, ‘I want to go and see where she grew up, find out what I can. But the thing is, I don’t have a car. I’m stuck out here. And I’m afraid.’ I was aware I was playing helpless, appealing to his weaknesses, whatever it was in him that made him want to protect women. I felt a little disgusted with myself. But it worked.

He sighed again. ‘You really think she’s a risk to you?’

‘She moved in next door to me! You’re telling me that’s a coincidence?’

‘No, no, it’s not that. It just seems so crazy is all.’

‘I know that. I just – need some proof.’ I hoped he would understand, the impulse that drove me on to find more – there was no reason he would, he barely knew me. I had no right to ask him for help. And there was no reason for him to help me – his only involvement was that you had, briefly, stolen his conference lanyard – but all the same it seemed he was in.

‘You’re lucky I have a rare day off tomorrow. I’ll come and pick you up. What’s your address?’