‘I heard,’ he says suddenly, just as I turn to walk away. ‘About your marriage. I’m so sorry, Jo. You deserve better.’

I feel myself start. It isn’t just his words that are unexpected. It’s the sentiment. When you work long hours and live alone, you get used to there being no-one who cares. ‘Thank you.’ My voice is husky and I clear my throat. ‘I’ll see you in a bit.’

*

As I walk across the yard, I’m conscious of the depth of the silence here. Untouched by even the most distant sound of traffic, the air has a purity, the colours around me a softness. Niamh’s face appears fleetingly in one of the cottage windows before disappearing. I imagine that even here, she’ll be constantly on edge, thinking it’s only a matter of time before her father finds them.

Closing the garden gate behind me, I find the grass neatly mown, the flowerbeds carefully tended. When my knock on the door isn’t answered, I push it open.

‘Hello? Anyone home?’

Elise’s face appears in a doorway, her anxious look quickly fading when she sees it’s me. Her bruising is still an ugly purple red, her eyes haunted.

‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you. Is everything OK?’

‘As OK as it can be, in the circumstances.’ Like Niamh, she’s clearly on edge, her voice sharp. ‘I’ll make us a cup of tea – if I can find anything.’

I know from the bitterness in her voice, from the way she opens cupboards, then closes them loudly as she looks for what she needs, that she’s uneasy. Eventually finding some mugs, she fills the kettle. ‘How long do we have to stay here?’

I’m evasive. At the moment, there are too many unknowns to give her a straight answer. ‘Probably a few days.’

Her shoulders stiffen. ‘And Andrew’s definitely being held?’

I nod. ‘He’s been charged, as I told you, and we’re remanding him in custody for further questioning.’ I pause, knowing that whatever he’s done, Andrew Buckley will continue to deny everything for as long as he thinks he can get away with it. ‘How’s Niamh bearing up? I saw her face just now, in one of the windows.’

‘She’s frightened. We both are. I know you’re holding him, but we both know what he’s capable of.’ She pauses. ‘Neither of us feels safe – and neither of us really wanted to come here.’ Elise’s voice is tight. ‘I know it doesn’t make sense – but I don’t expect you to understand.’

Given the memories their house holds for both of them, I’m surprised. ‘I know this is a difficult time for you, but I thought you were all set to move. You’d even found somewhere, hadn’t you?’