Damn him. She should have known he would dig his heels in.

Ignoring him, Rosie went through to Hannah’s bedroom, slamming the door. She didn’t need his attitude and already had enough on her plate to deal with, the Mrs W stuff scaring the shit out of her, and her head was about to explode. She just wanted Josh to go so she could chill with Hannah.

Where the hell was Hannah, anyway?

Rosie had messaged to say she was back and would come over later and all she’d had back from Hannah was a brief reply saying she was out, but would be home soon.

Out where? She had hurt her ankle, so it wouldn’t be walking the dogs, and her bed was made, so she must have been up early.

Maybe the pain in her ankle had worsened and she had gone to see the doctor.

Or something more sinister had happened.

No! Don’t go there.

But Rosie’s overactive imagination couldn’t help it and over the next ten minutes she conjured up all kinds of scenarios. She was already in a skittish mood and had managed to work herself into a panic that Mrs W had done something to Hannah and that she was the one who had sent the message from Hannah’s phone, when she heard the front door open.

She rushed through from the bedroom, relieved to see Hannah step through the door, a look of surprise on her face when she saw she had visitors.

‘Rosie, I didn’t think you were coming over till later. Josh? What are you doing here?’

‘Those theatre tickets for your mum’s anniversary arrived,’ Josh told her, getting to his feet and sounding a little distracted as he looked past Hannah. ‘I’m on my way to see a client and had a bit of time to kill, so I thought I’d swing by and…’ He trailed off, seeming more interested in the man who had followed Hannah into the flat.

Liam Quinn.

Rosie wanted to scream. What the hell was he doing here?

‘Hi, I don’t believe we’ve met.’ Josh offered his hand to Quinn as Hannah made the introductions.

‘This is Liam Quinn, Josh. Liam, my ex-husband, Josh Cole.’

No elaboration of who Quinn was or that he was writing a book about Eileen Wickham. Rosie was sure Josh would have something to say about that when he knew the truth.

Quinn’s eyes had widened slightly at the ex-husband mention, though given his profession, he would surely know all about Hannah’s life and that Cole hadn’t been her maiden name. Maybe it was surprise at Josh being in her flat.

‘Good to meet you,’ he told Josh, giving nothing away.

‘Likewise.’

Well, wasn’t this all very civil?