Jason looked at his wife. Saw her resolute expression.

And realized he, too, was more than uncomfortable about the idea of staying here alone.

80

Thursday 27 December

Ten minutes later, with overnight bags hastily packed, and their coats on, they went outside. To Jason’s surprise, the street was deserted. All the emergency vehicles had gone, and the tractor, along with the wrecked purple car and all the police and emergency service workers. Emily’s van was back on the driveway.

It was as if nothing had happened.

‘What the hell?’ Jason said. ‘They’ve cleared this all up PDQ. Who drove your van?’

‘The police asked me to leave the key in it, in case they needed to move it,’ she replied.

‘Well, that was decent of them.’

Across the road, the Penze-Weedells’ house was in darkness. They walked over to Jason’s BMW, and just as they reached it, they heard the swoosh of a car, travelling at speed along Lakeview Drive.

It was a huge Cadillac convertible. At the wheel was a man smoking a cigar, the tip glowing red in the darkness. In the glare of a street light he saw a woman in the passenger seat and the shape of two children in the rear.

Moments later, its tail lights vanished around the corner. But the smell of cigar smoke lingered.

‘I’ve seen that car several times,’ Jason said. ‘The estate agent said it doesn’t ring a bell, but I saw it arriving last week, followed by a removals lorry. I’m sure they’re living on the estate somewhere.’

‘It’s a bit vulgar, don’t you think?’

‘I love those big old Yank tanks!’ Jason said. ‘That’s a Cadillac Eldorado. It would make a great painting, the whole family in it, excited to be arriving at their new home – don’t you think?’

‘Mr and Mrs Flash-Vulgar,’ she said.

‘Too bad about the Penze-Weedells – I’m sure they would have ended up besties with these people.’ He pressed his key fob to unlock the BMW’s doors. To his surprise, nothing happened.

He pressed again.

Nothing.

‘Shit, the battery must have gone.’ He put the key in the lock, instead, and twisted it. There was a brief moment of reluctance, then the door locks released.

They climbed in. Jason was a little puzzled that the interior lights had not come on. He pushed the start button.

Nothing happened.

He tried again. A weak click from under the bonnet, then nothing. And again.

‘Shit, a flat battery. What’s caused that?’

‘Shall we try mine?’ Emily hurried out of the BMW and over to her van. She tried opening the door, but it was locked. ‘Don’t say they’ve taken the key? Bloody idiots.’

‘Your spare’s in the hall drawer.’

She opened her handbag and removed the house keys – and frowned.

‘The key’s here, on my key ring.’

‘I thought you left it in the van.’

‘So did I. I must have…’ She frowned again. ‘I’m certain I left it in the ignition.’