Now, I slide the shoes off and place them back exactly where they were, not wanting Rupert to know that I’ve been in here. My mother did snare John, but that was years ago, and now she’s living in Florida with her fifth or sixth husband – I forget which number she’s on now – but she lives in a huge house and doesn’t have to think about money. Just like Caro. From the little that Sadie said about Caro earlier, she lived a charmed life right from when she was young. I stroke the arm of a fur coat, the pelt thick and glossy. It feels remarkably real – if it’s a fake, then it’s a good one. How would it feel, I wonder, to have all of this? To live the life that Caro lived?

The thunk of a car door closing outside brings me back to myself, and I slam the wardrobe door closed, half of me regretting that I didn’t take the time while I could to quickly try on the silky fur, the seductive feel of it luring me in, even though I am against real fur, while the other half of me feels grubby at the very thought of trying on a dead woman’s clothes. Peering out of the landing window, I see Rupert getting out of his car, his face ruddy and his hair sweaty as he pulls his gym bag from the boot.

‘Hi.’ I stop at the bottom of the stairs, as he bursts through the front door.

‘Oh, sorry. I thought you would have been gone by now.’ His face flushes and my heart skips a beat.

‘I just had a few things to finish off. I’ll get off now, get out of your hair. If you leave that bag by the washing machine, I’ll get it sorted on Monday.’

Rupert pauses for a moment, as if he wants to say something, before he gives me a small smile. ‘Thank you. For today, I mean, not the gym bag. I really appreciate you coming in on a Saturday.’

‘It’s no bother.’ I slide my feet into my trainers. ‘A woman called Sadie came over earlier – she said she’ll catch up with you later.’ I smile, even though the thought of Sadie and her chilly manner is like grit under an eyelid. ‘I’ll see you on Monday.’

‘Emily…’ Rupert says, and I wait, my heart thudding hard in my chest. ‘Oh, never mind. Have a good weekend.’

I nod and make my way down the path towards the gate, sure I can feel his eyes on me every step of the way.

Chapter Five