While she was still uncomfortable with the idea of a book, though, how it was being written did change things. And it had happened over twenty years ago. Perhaps, despite her reservations, it was a story that was ready to be told.

That was something for her to put away and absorb later. It wasn’t just her story after all. There were others involved too. The rest of the Hixton Five deserved a say, as did the family of Scott Copeland, Eileen’s first victim. Right now, Mrs W’s whereabouts were of more interest and Liam was peering through cupped hands into the front window.

‘Can you see anything?’

‘The furniture is still there, but I’m guessing it came with the rental.’

‘What about personal stuff? Pictures, mugs, maybe a coat or shoes.’

‘Nothing I can see. I’ll check round the back.’

‘Should you do that? Won’t it be locked?’

Liam didn’t answer, already disappearing down the alleyway that linked the properties, and Hannah glanced around the empty street before following after him. She was still limping, but the pain in her ankle had definitely eased a little.

There was a latch to open the gate to the rear of the house, but no lock, and they were easily able to access the small patioed garden. It was sparce, lacking in colour and personality, with just a couple of empty potting tubs stacked up and a rusted watering can.

Liam looked into the kitchen window. ‘There’s a kettle, but nothing else on the worktop.’ He tried the back door.

‘What are you doing? You can’t break in.’

‘Relax. It’s locked. I was just checking.’

Was that all he was really doing? Hannah couldn’t help wondering what he would have done if the door had been open. All this snooping around was making her uncomfortable, especially given whose house it was.

‘She’s obviously not here, so we should go.’

To her relief, he agreed. ‘Yeah, Tank will be having a shit fit at being left in the car.’

As they turned to leave, Mrs W’s neighbour glared at them across the low fence.

‘You have no business being back here,’ he snapped at Hannah, before turning his attention to Liam, his eyes narrowing. ‘You again!’

‘Good to see you, Mr Towler.’

‘You’ve already been told you’re not welcome. Now she’s gone, there’s no need for you to be loitering around, so bugger off before I make you regret it!’

The smirk on Liam’s face suggested he wasn’t overly bothered by Towler’s threat. Still, he guided Hannah back towards the alleyway. ‘We’re just going, but I’m sure I’ll see you again. You have my card.’

The comment was met with a number of expletives. Mr Towler clearly wasn’t a fan of Liam Quinn either.