Pulling his thermometer and stethoscope from his bag, Wilfred took Morgan’s temperature before gesturing at her to undo the first couple of buttons on her shirt. Quietly, she obeyed, allowing him to check her heart rhythm, then winced as he examined the back of her head. After asking her a series of questions, he took her temperature for a second time before sliding his stethoscope back into his bag. Joanne hovered around them, her hands clasped tightly together.

‘She’s suffering with mild hypothermia, but her temperature is coming up. She’s got a bump on her head but didn’t break the skin. Keep her dry and warm, lots of hot drinks and food to keep her strength up.’ His face was stony as he relayed his instructions.

‘Shouldn’t she be checked over in hospital?’ Naomi said.

‘They’ll suggest bedrest, which is what she’s getting here.’ His gaze switched to Lloyd. ‘She’s lucky you found her when you did.’

Lloyd nodded in agreement. There had been more than luck involved. He knew those woods like the back of his hand.

‘What happened?’ Naomi turned her attention to Morgan as Joanne showed the doctor out.

‘I fell over,’ Morgan replied. ‘I . . .’ Pulling herself upwards, she turned her gaze to Naomi, but not before Lloyd caught a glint of fear in her eyes. He could spare some more time. His shift was mercifully quiet, with his small band of officers getting on with their jobs. He scrutinised her face, watched Naomi’s surprise as Morgan grasped her hand. Something told him that was the first time in their relationship there had been such physical contact, and he exchanged a glance with Joanne.

‘Can I make you another drink?’ Joanne said to Morgan, feigning concern. ‘Would you like some more soup?’

But the pair of them were busy whispering. Lloyd didn’t like the look of this. It was bad enough that the Ward woman had called her useless lump of a husband to let him know. His reaction had been one of panic and he was battling the storm to get home.

‘Tell the officer what you told me,’ Naomi said.

Lloyd raised an eyebrow. So, he was ‘the officer’ now?

In the fireplace, the flames spat and sparked in defiance of the weather outside.

‘There was someone in the woods.’ Morgan cradled her hot chocolate. ‘I remember now.’

‘You need to call the police.’ Naomi stared up at Lloyd, breathless with concern.

‘I am the police,’ Lloyd replied, turning his gaze back to Morgan as he pulled out his police-issue pocketbook and pen. ‘What did you see?’

‘I . . .’ Morgan’s face scrunched in a frown. ‘I can’t remember. But there was someone there.’

‘OK then.’ Lloyd sighed. ‘How about height, skin colour, male or female? What did they say? Were threats made?’

Fully back to life, Morgan shook her head. ‘I don’t know.’