Liam had told her he had been to the farm before while researching for his book, still he waited patiently, allowing her to take all of the time she needed, while Tank sniffed around the barn, interested in all the new smells.

A rustling noise from outside caught his attention and he let out a bark.

Hannah and Liam both glanced up as a rabbit scampered past the open door. Seeing it, Tank’s tail thumped and he bolted after it.

‘Tank! Get back here.’

Hannah knew the dog wouldn’t listen, but it didn’t stop Liam calling him again as he headed to the door.

‘I need to go get him.’

‘I’ll catch you up in a minute.’

Liam glanced back at her; his eyebrows raised. ‘Are you sure?’

‘I’m fine. I just want another minute or two.’ When he hesitated, she told him, ‘Go!’

She wasn’t lying. She really was fine. This place that had terrified her for so many years no longer had any power.

She kicked a stone into the hole. ‘Fuck you, Mrs W.’

And fuck Bill too. He might have only been fifteen and under Mrs W’s influence, but he had been just as bad.

Her phone vibrated in her pocket. A reminder of the call she had earlier ignored from Josh. He had left her a message, but she hadn’t listened to it.

She saw she had a missed call from Tash too, though Tash hadn’t left a message.

Hannah dialled her voicemail. As she waited for Josh’s message to play, she wandered back to the doorway of the barn. In the distance, she could see Liam still trying to catch up to Tank and it made her smile. She should really go and help him, though it was quite entertaining watching him chasing after the dog, a colourful list of swear words turning the air blue.

Josh’s voice cut in and Hannah continued to watch Liam and Tank as her ex-husband spoke.

‘Han, it’s me, Josh. I need you to call me urgently. It’s about Liam Quinn. Don’t shoot me, but I did some digging.’

What? Hannah’s shoulders tensed in anger. What the hell was Josh playing at? How dare he take it upon himself to investigate Liam? She was going to call him back right now and tell him he was bang out of order, but then she heard his next words and everything inside her turned cold.

‘You need to stay away from him. He’s not who he says he is.’

The message ended and shaken, she clicked to save it before slipping the phone back in her pocket.

In the distance, Liam finally had the leash on Tank and was heading back towards the barn.

Stay away.

He’s not who he says he is.

What the hell did Josh mean? Just what had he found out about Liam and who the hell was he?