Quinn is a lucky bastard. Or should I rephrase that as ‘was’ a lucky bastard. Because he won’t be getting her back. Hannah has interfered one too many times and her actions have consequences. I will have my fun with her, because after everything she has put me through, everything she has taken from me, I deserve that at the very least, but she won’t be walking away from this. I will make certain of that.

By the time I am finished with her, she will never be able to stick her meddling nose in anyone’s business ever again.

I slam the door shut, then grabbing a fistful of her hair, I yank her backwards, knocking her off balance again. As she lands on her bum, I start dragging her by her hair towards her bedroom.

I have already familiarised myself with the layout of her flat during a previous visit while she was staying the night at Quinn’s, aware after my visit to Lauren Bell’s house that pre-planning leads to less fuck-ups. I will not be denied this moment.

I know where everything is and that she has no neighbours on this level, the attic space split between her flat and a maintenance room where I was hiding until the moment I took her by surprise. I also know that the flats on the floor below her are empty. One resident on holiday, the other property currently up for rent.

Hannah has spent the weekend with Quinn in Hixton and she has dropped him off at the house he is renting. She is all alone, which means I can take my time. Savour it.

She is screaming and yelling at me now, her initial shock giving way to panic, and she is trying to free her hair from my grip. I need to get her subdued and quickly.

Into the bedroom and onto the bed, dropping the bag I have brought onto the mattress. I climb on top of her, trying to keep her still with one hand, while the other rummages inside the bag for my rope.

The bitch is going nuts now, kicking and squealing as she tries to fight me off. Her knees are hitting into my back and she manages to pull one of her arms free. It is like wrestling a bloody octopus and despite all of my planning, I am wondering if I have underestimated her.

She is stronger than she looks, her free hand now on my face, pushing and poking, making it difficult for me to concentrate.

‘Will you just calm the fuck down?’