The pistol had a suppressor attached so there wouldn’t be a loud bang. Just a muted crack as the bullet left the barrel. It was going to be risky. Of that she had no doubt. But Rosa did not intend to let her client down just because she had decided to go out and enjoy herself.

She’d agreed that she would aim to carry out a killing a day and she was determined to do so. This was going to be The Slayer’s final assignment, after all, and she had every intention of ending on a high note.

The queues for the London Eye were too long to consider joining, so they didn’t bother. Instead they went to a trendy bar in a hotel overlooking the Thames.

They drank Tequila Sunrise cocktails, and Rosa pushed Laura Jefferson from her thoughts. It wasn’t difficult while she was with Alice. The woman made everything else seem irrelevant.

‘You know what scares me?’ Alice said. ‘It’s that this week is going so fast. Before we know it you’ll be heading home to Mexico, and I’m going to miss you so much.’

Rosa saw this as an opportunity to test the water. To see if Alice was as love-struck as she was.

‘I could always try to extend my stay,’ she said.

Alice beamed. ‘You really mean that?’

Rosa nodded. ‘I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t.’

‘My God that would be wonderful. You could check out of the hotel and stay with me in the apartment.’

It was Rosa’s turn to smile like a cat who’s got the milk. ‘You’d let me do that?’

‘Are you kidding? It’d be like having Christmas come early.’

There followed a five-minute display of mutual affection. They hugged and kissed and whispered endearments to one another. And they didn’t care that they were attracting attention from the other people in the bar.

Rosa was on cloud nine. It seemed to her that this day just kept getting better.

‘I’ve been telling my parents about you,’ Alice said. ‘They’d like to meet you.’

Rosa felt her stomach contract. ‘Really?’ It was all she could think of saying.

Alice laughed. ‘Well, you don’t have to look so worried. They won’t bite.’

‘But why do they want to meet me?’

‘Because they’re curious. They know I’m besotted with you and they want to see the person who’s making me so happy.’

Rosa was flattered, delighted and alarmed in equal measure. Delighted that Alice had used the word besotted and alarmed at the prospect of meeting her parents.