Letting out a breath, she rolled her shoulders. She felt better. Whatever they’d given her in the hospital had obviously worked its way out of her system. The idea that Amelia had tried to poison her, had been involved with Pleasant, surely it was all a product of her overtired and overstressed mind. Molly switched on the landing light and headed down the stairs. The door to the living room was shut but she could see a rim of light around the edges. Maybe Jack was home. Molly took a deep breath before she twisted the knob and quietly pushed open the door.

Amelia was sitting with her back to her. She had a magazine in her hands, legs crossed, one foot bouncing lazily.

‘Hi,’ Molly said.

The magazine went flying and landed on the floor with a loud smack. ‘Bloody hell, you scared the wits out of me.’

‘Sorry,’ Molly said automatically even as she thought there you go again with that bloody useless word. ‘I fell asleep.’

Amelia picked up the magazine and threw it onto the coffee table before going over to her. ‘You didn’t fall asleep,’ she said, ‘you passed out. There’s a difference.’

‘The medication the hospital gave me obviously didn’t agree with me.’ Molly dredged up a smile. ‘I feel better after that sleep.’

‘Well, you look awful. Come and sit down. I’ll make you a cup of tea.’

Molly sat and listened as the kettle was filled and switched on. She seemed to be drinking a lot of tea and coffee these days.

Minutes later, a mug was put on the table in front of her.

‘I really need to go,’ Amelia said, checking her watch. ‘I’m way overdue at a meeting.’

‘Go, please, I’ll be fine.’ The suspicion of Amelia still lurked; Molly didn’t want whatever was in the mug, and certainly wasn’t going to drink it, but picking it up allowed her to switch her focus to it and hide her mistrust.

‘Jack will be back soon, won’t he? So, you will be okay.’

Looking up, Molly gripped the mug more tightly. ‘Yes, of course.’

Amelia didn’t look convinced. ‘Maybe I should wait until he’s here?’

‘No please, go. I’m sure he’ll be home soon. I’m going to finish my tea, then lie back and probably sleep again.’

‘If you’re sure.’ Amelia picked up her coat and slipped it on.

Molly listened as Amelia’s footsteps crossed the hall, the front door opened then closed. Finally, silence. Standing, Molly took the tea and threw it down the sink. What if she’d been right, that Amelia, for whatever reason, was trying to kill her? It was preposterous, ridiculous, but the truth was someone had tried. They’d failed. Wasn’t it logical they’d try again?