Greg knew the answer to that would involve the virus and the Party House, and the fact he’d done nothing to stop it being rented out again. Even going to London to assure that would happen.

It was at this point in his musings that he became aware that Josh was here in the building and close by too. As scuffling footsteps threaded their way along the corridor, he heard Josh’s curses, peppered by an officer’s orders to be quiet.

Then, ‘I know what you did, Taylor, I fucking know what you did.’

Greg sat down abruptly on the bed. Josh knew he was in here and wanted his message heard. The venom in his voice was obvious, but what was it he knew? That he was implicated in Ailsa’s murder? Or that he was responsible for bringing in the virus via the Party House?

As for Josh, was his arrest to do with vandalizing the hot tub or with Ailsa’s death?

Joanne

After Caroline’s departure, she’d gone through to the bedroom and lain down on the bed, willing her stomach to cease its churning. She’d had no time to digest the results of the pregnancy test before having to face Caroline. Now, she tried to dispense with her threats and focus on her own imminent problem.

She was pregnant.

She said it out loud for emphasis, as if the words released to the air might make her face the fact head on.

Richard had wanted her to get pregnant, so much so that she’d had to pretend not to be taking the pill, while hiding them. He no doubt saw a pregnancy as yet another leash to tie her to him. The child, after all, would be under his control, just like her.

She began taking deep breaths, willing her heart to slow and the surge of adrenaline to come to an end. When it eventually did, she rose and went to her laptop. She knew she should book an appointment, but . . .

There was plenty of time to decide where she would go for the termination. No one knew except her, and no one would know. First, she needed to be sure that Caroline would continue to give Greg an alibi, and for this she needed to engage an ally, such as Kath.

The fresh air revived her. It was still warm, with a few clouds about. None that looked like rain clouds, however. Checking via her mobile, she found the weather would stay like this for possibly a further week. Something she knew Greg would be concerned about. As he’d reminded her, you didn’t have a Highland landscape like this without rain.

Colin had arrived not long after Caroline left. She’d already fed the dogs and spent a little time with them. Although they’d been pleased to see her, there was no doubt who they were really looking for.