‘Did you sleep with my sister? Oh, er, shit, sorry, it’s none of my business.’

Ricky laughed, and his cheeks flushed. ‘It’s all right. I guess you would want to know as much as possible about her last few days. Well, no, Miss Poppy – nice name by the way – but anyway, the answer is a definite no. Kendall and I only talked and texted on the phone, and then we went for a quick drink, and we were going to order in a Chinese from her flat and . . . ’ He paused and took a deep breath. ‘I’m sorry, but that was it, really. I would have loved to have got to know her a bit more, though.’

Just the openness in his eyes told her he was a genuine guy and someone she felt she could trust. ‘Ricky, I know you’re poorly, but I need some help.’ Her face crumpled in pain. ‘About your friends. Do they know of a place where I could go for a while? I need to stay away from my parents and try and get my head clear.’

He placed two hands on the side armrests and pushed himself up. Poppy was already on her feet, struggling with her own crutches.

‘How can you go anywhere? Ya can’t bleedin’ well walk.’

She blushed and looked at him with fear in her eyes. ‘You don’t understand. I have to get away. It was my sodding mother who ran me down!’

Ricky felt the blood drain from his face. ‘Jesus. But why?’ he asked, as he steadied her balance.

‘I don’t know, and I don’t know if she meant to do it, but she didn’t stop. She just drove off. It was dark, I ran out into the road, and she came hurtling around the corner.’

As Ricky again steadied her, he could smell the sweet perfume from her hair. His heart went out to her as she looked so helpless. ‘But what I don’t understand is why you were running in the first place?’

Her eyes widened, and Ricky could tell from her expression she was probably reliving the experience. ‘I was running from my dad, I think . . . Oh God.’ Her eyes now filled with tears, she choked on her words. ‘I think he may be the man behind Kendall’s murder. I don’t know, for sure, though. I don’t know anything anymore. I’m just a mess!’

With his brows knitted together, and darkness filling his eyes, he gripped her tighter. ‘What! Your own farver?’

She nodded and bit her bottom lip. Tears were falling down her face steadily now, as the two of them left the room.

‘Right, okay. Let’s think about this. Have you told the police?’