Preoccupied with her colliding thoughts, she didn’t realize she’d passed the entry to the woods, which had been her planned route to Kath’s house. Now she would have to walk down the Main Street, which meant passing the shop, and possibly Caroline.

Choosing to stay on the other side of the road, she took her courage in both hands and walked swiftly by – but not swiftly enough, it seemed.

She was only a few steps further on when she heard her name being called. She stopped on the second, more strident, shout and turned to find Caroline heading towards her.

Bracing herself for a torrent of abuse, she was surprised to see her concerned expression.

‘I’m really sorry about Finn’s reaction to you staying last night. It was so unlike him,’ Caroline said.

Joanne waited, unsure how to respond.

‘I’m sure you’ve heard already, but Finn’s in Inverness giving a statement to the police about the night Ailsa went missing. Josh gave one, and now he’s home. Finn will be home soon too.’

Her voice faltered a little on that, and Joanne felt a well of sympathy spring up.

‘I’m sure he will,’ she offered. ‘And don’t worry about last night.’

Caroline accepted this with a little nod of acknowledgement before saying, ‘So you’re not leaving, then?’

‘I am, but just not today. The fire . . .’ she began.

Caroline looked pleased to hear that and said brightly, ‘Of course, poor Greg will be in the thick of it. Fire teams from all round have been called out. It’ll be hectic until they manage to dampen it down, or’ – she gazed skywards – ‘the weather breaks. I’m helping with teas and coffees at the hall. If you want to come along, the tea van’s parked outside, because the police are still using the place.’

‘I’ll maybe do that,’ Joanne said, stunned at being asked.

They parted then, Joanne to cross the road to Kath’s, Caroline striding purposefully towards the village hall.

Joanne realized with sadness that in every interchange she’d ever had with Caroline involving Greg, she could see her own relationship with Richard reflected back in some way. How many times had she hoped things would eventually go back to the way they’d been at the beginning of their relationship? Too many, regardless of Lucy’s warnings.

Despite everything that had happened between Caroline and Greg – Ailsa, the miscarriage, now the madness that the murder had brought to Blackrig – Caroline still thought that she and Greg might get together again.

Provided I leave Blackrig, she said to herself.

Reaching Kath’s house and finding an open door, Joanne stepped inside and called for her.

‘Come away through,’ Kath’s voice came back. ‘We’re in the back garden.’

Wondering who Kath was with, Joanne did as instructed.

The two women were seated by a table on the lawn, enjoying a pot of tea.