But it was more than curiosity that had kept her awake last night. There was no chance of her getting back to sleep after Lloyd had left, so she had spent the last few hours rehashing the Harper case. As far as she was concerned, it all came back to Lloyd. His wife had reported the family missing and Lloyd was heavily involved in the case. Even now, he was drawn back here, scared of what she might find. At least her home office had been locked. Had he sensed her concerns over his involvement . . . ? The image of him creeping around while she and Morgan were asleep and vulnerable . . . Her shoulders shook in a full body shudder. Was this what it had been like for the Harper family? Had he visited when Grace and Susan were alone? Her mind raced with possibilities. Given Joanne’s behaviour in her husband’s company, Naomi wouldn’t put it past her to cover up his wrongdoings. But Naomi would not be driven out of the village. She was close to the truth; she could feel it.

She turned her attention to Morgan, who was looking much better. Her auburn highlights enhanced her complexion and brought out the blue in her eyes. She was wearing a pink pastel woollen jumper and a pair of blue jeans – a vast improvement on her black attire of before. Naomi watched her part the heavy drapes over the window, their rings tinkling against the metal curtain pole. She squinted as a beam of January sunshine flooded the room.

‘I brought you a coffee,’ Morgan said, looking uncharacteristically concerned.

Naomi’s eyes felt dry in their sockets, and she blinked a few times to clear her vision. ‘I should be looking after you. Are you OK? Have you eaten?’ She checked her watch: 7 a.m.

‘Yup. I had toast.’ Morgan handed her the mug. ‘You look like you could do with this.’

‘Thanks.’ Naomi gratefully accepted the coffee and took a sip. Morgan had made it just the way she liked it. Once, she would have spat in it first.

Morgan glanced at the boxes Naomi had brought down from the loft.

‘It’s funny,’ Naomi said, following her gaze. ‘But living here, under their roof, I feel like I know the Harpers.’

‘It’s meant to be our roof,’ Morgan said. ‘We own it now.’