He thought for a moment, and then pulled his T-shirt over his head, bumping his hands against the top of the cage. He’d mop it up with his T-shirt, push it through the bars of the cage, and then lie down and wriggle out of his trousers and take his underwear off.

A floorboard creaked upstairs.

Casey walked across the landing; he could hear her at the top of the stairs.

But then she passed, heading for the bathroom.

24

LAUREN

People were reckless when it came to social media. Lauren knew this wasn’t a world-shattering observation, but it still baffled her.

Ever since the book club meeting, she’d been trying to think of a way to get some one-on-one time with Fiona; she’d easily been the biggest gossiper, the keenest to talk about Casey and her history in the book club. Lauren had a life, a partner, a flat, things to do, hobbies and interests, but this had niggled.

Scott’s worsening condition hurried her along. Each day he came into work, he looked less like himself. The previous day he’d flinched when one of the students slammed their bag down on the table. He’d laughed afterwards, making a joke, but his voice had been shaking; his eyes had flitted over the classroom, as though expecting to find Casey.

Lauren wanted him to be okay. Even if she might have to hurt him one day. Either way, she wasn’t going to stop. And if she found something, maybe she could use it. Maybe she’d do a little blackmailing of her own.

Fiona had a habit of checking in on Facebook. Lauren would never understand the desire.

Hello, world, just in case you wanted to know, I’m having a coffee at this precise location.

Lauren walked into the café. Fiona’s check-in location was only a twenty-minute walk from her flat. Hopefully Fiona was still there.

Lauren wandered over to the counter, doing her best to seem natural as she looked around. It was late Friday afternoon, making it the two-week anniversary of Scott’s dick pic. She grinned to herself as she thought about getting him a card. But she shouldn’t smile; she didn’t know if he was a bad person.

The café was busy, a stylish place, with a wooden ship’s wheel mounted on the wall. A piano sat in the corner, and there were a bunch of knick-knacks along the windowsills.

Fiona was sitting in the corner, alone, with her Kindle on the table. Lauren got ready to do some acting. She’d never been much good in drama class.

“Fiona?”

Fiona looked up as Lauren walked over. Confusion registered on her face, then she smiled. “Lauren, right? Sorry. I’m terrible with names.”

“Well, you got mine right.”

“Phew.” Fiona chuckled. “What are you doing here? I mean, obviously you’re getting a coffee, but any particular reason?”

Fiona was speaking quickly, the same way she had at the book club. She seemed like a naturally anxious person.

“I’m stalking you. I followed you here.”