‘It’s too dark,’ I say, staring out at what looks like an abyss. Nothing is visible; not the loch nor the starlight, only a faint glow from the beach where the bonfire is dying.

A large, dark shadow passes suddenly in front of the flames, and we both jump back from the window in fright.

‘There!’ he shouts. ‘Did you see it?

I nod. ‘What was that?’ I ask, gripping his arm.

Liam shakes his head. ‘I’m going outside to check.’

I grab his arm even harder, pulling him back. ‘No,’ I say. ‘Don’t.’

He gives me a sardonic look, one eyebrow raised. ‘Laura, I’m a police officer, remember?’

I nod. Of course, I remember, but I don’t find it all that reassuring.

‘You stay here,’ he tells me as he pulls his trousers and shirt back on.

Anxiety buzzes in my sternum. I follow him into the kitchen where he stops to pull on his boots. ‘Do you really need to go?’ I ask anxiously.

‘Yes.’ He crosses to the back door. ‘Lock it after I go out. I’ll knock three times when I come back,’ he tells me.

I nod and then he’s gone, out the door and swallowed up by the darkness. With a shaking hand I bolt the door behind him and then stand in the kitchen motionless, ears cocked for any noises outside, but I can’t hear a thing. The house is as still and silent as a crypt.

He’s gone a long time and my anxiety builds with each passing second. Where is he? Has something happened to him? My nerves are electrified and I’m so on edge that when I hear a light thudding sound coming from inside the cottage my heart almost smashes through my ribcage, only relaxing when I realise it’s just the fire. A burning log must have fallen against the grate. I walk back into the front room and glance towards the window where Liam saw the face.

I yank the curtain across and then do the same to all the other windows. I hate the feeling that we’re being watched.

Another minute passes and I start biting my nails. What if Liam doesn’t come back? But then I hear a rapid knock knock knock knock on the back door and run to open it.

Liam enters.

‘Was there anyone out there?’ I ask.

He shakes his head, turning to lock the back door. ‘No, not that I could see.’ A deep frown line runs between his eyes, but then he shakes it off and forces a smile. ‘It was probably nothing.’