Fanshawe looked down at her. ‘When I rang you earlier, it sounded like you were in the Underground, Mrs Chatwell. We did, if you remember, suggest that you stay indoors. Obviously, you didn’t take heed, so I’ll say it again, until we find out what is going on… and we will… stay inside where you are safe.’ He jabbed a thumb towards the hallway. ‘And please, put the chain on the door and check who it is before you open it.’

Molly struggled to her feet and walked to the front door after them.

Fanshawe rattled the chain. ‘Put it on as soon as we leave,’ he said. ‘Be careful. You have my number, ring me if there’s any problem and when you hear from Mr Chatwell, persuade him to contact me, okay?’

She nodded because it seemed the thing to do.

After they’d gone, she rang the garage where they’d bought the BMW and asked to speak to the manager.

Ten minutes later she hung up. She’d got less than she’d expected, but he’d offered to check the car over at the pound and if everything was as promised, have the money transferred immediately, so she wasn’t going to complain. She took the car key off her set of keys, found the spare, got the paperwork he’d need to take the car from the pound and left everything on the hall table. He said he’d be over in forty minutes to pick everything up. The pound closed at five so it would be the morning before he’d be able to access it.

The twenty-five thousand he’d offered for the car would pay the money owing to the hotel, the arrears on their mortgage, plus the next month’s payment and a couple of thousand off each credit card. It would give her breathing space.

Now all she needed to do was find Jack.

32

Pete Randall, the garage owner, arrived almost an hour later. When the doorbell rang, Molly’s heart leapt, hoping it was Jack. Her disappointment must have been obvious when she opened the door. ‘Have you changed your mind?’ Randall asked.

‘No, no sorry, I’ve lots to think about,’ she said, stepping back to let him in. ‘Thank you so much for doing this. I have the documentation you need, plus the keys.’

Randall looked through the paperwork carefully. ‘Okay. First thing tomorrow, I’ll head over and check it out. If everything is as you say, I’ll have the money transferred into your account.’ He took a document from his pocket. ‘I need you to sign this.’