The fear in his face turned to terror. ‘You fucking bitch. You wouldn’t… I am not a…’ The sentence was lost as he took off down the street, breaking into a clumsy run.

‘Yes, I would,’ Esther yelled after him, so loudly that she did not register Dimitri’s cab arriving from the opposite direction, until it pulled up alongside the house.

‘Only managed to leave my phone at home, didn’t I?’ he called cheerfully as he hopped out, leaving the engine running and the hazards on. ‘All right there, Esther?’ He paused to squint down the street where the figure of Chris Mews had already merged into the darkness.

‘Yes, I… all good, thanks, Dimmy. Just seeing off an unwanted visitor.’

‘Really?’ Dimitri, halfway down his path, stopped and looked at her properly. ‘Anything you need help with, Esther, you have only to say the word.’

‘No, honestly. All good. But thanks for asking and thanks for installing those.’ She pointed at the new cameras as she turned to go into the house. ‘They make me feel a lot safer.’

‘Pleased to hear it. Mind you…’ Dimitri threw the devices a disparaging look ‘… we’ll all feel safer still when the bloody things start working properly. The lights should be red, not blue. They’ve promised to come back next week. Laters, Esther. Take care, now.’ He waved before bolting inside.

Esther leant back against her door as soon as she had closed it, aware of her heart rate settling. To her surprise, she really did feel fine. She would report the incident to be on the safe side, but it was close to inconceivable that Chris Mews would be stupid enough to return. And not being cowed by what could have happened was something she was getting better at. Coping in the moment, trusting her own instincts – she was almost proud of herself. She bent down to stroke Chico, who had staggered sleepily into the hall, before shaking the rain off her coat and hanging it up. Then she texted Lily – and Dylan’s dead phone for good measure – telling each child that she loved them and always would, no matter what the world threw in their paths.

CRACKS

31

‘It all sounds frightening and horrible. Well done, for managing. Golly, what a hectic time you’ve been having, what with the Lucas business, and Dylan to worry about too. You poor thing, Esther. I hope you did report the man to the police in the end?’

‘Yes. Or at least, I gave details to one of the people manning the 101 switchboard.’