All day I had watched Suzi and Nick’s house, through the dark of the falling snow. Poppet snoozed by the fire, providing some comfort with his smelly breath and warm fur. I hadn’t put on the lights in my own house – I wanted Nick to think I’d gone out. My car was hidden further down the lane, at the passing place. But what could I do? I wouldn’t be able to get into their cottage, not with all the alarms and sensors and their sturdy doors and windows. I couldn’t call the police, since they wouldn’t believe me, and surely they would take a look into my past and realise there was no such person as Nora Halscombe. Not to mention the fact I’d never see that baby. I couldn’t try Suzi’s mother, since I’d no idea where she even was or on what cruise line. Nick’s mother, who sounded dreadful, would do anything to protect her son, I was sure of it. Who did it leave? I could only think of one person, and even then it was a long shot. Could I trust that person, though? Something about their behaviour had made me uneasy – too much interest, perhaps. But on the other hand, I didn’t have much choice.

First, I spent some more time on my new best friend, Google, searching until I had an explanation and my mind was at ease. Then I opened my front door, stepping lightly in case I saw movement across the road. Nothing. A flurry of ice in my face, I shut the house up behind me, leaving myself in the deep winter dark of falling snow.

Suzi

Suzi

Nick’s tender manner vanished at the sound of the doorbell.

‘Stay in here,’ he hissed. ‘Don’t make a fucking sound.’ He never swore. Then he seized a small hand towel from the rack, and shoved it roughly into my mouth. I choked on cotton and disbelief – Nick! Nick was doing this! ‘Shit, shit.’ He looked around for something else – what, I didn’t know – and then he saw his dressing gown on the back of the door, and whipped out the belt, and I understood. He was going to tie me up. And he did, to the towel rack, my arms pulled up at an awkward angle. I was naked and dripping and terrified.

‘Uhhh. Uhhh!’

‘Shut up, Suzi! I mean it.’ His voice rose and fell.