Seconds passed between them. He opened his mouth to protest, but then several bolts were pulled across. Bonnie bounded towards him, ferociously wagging her tail.

‘Hey, girl,’ Lloyd said, scratching behind her ear.

‘Bolt the door after you,’ Susan said coldly, before turning to walk down the hall. She was wearing a shapeless grey linen dress, her feet plugged into her husband’s slippers. A large silver crucifix hung on a chain from her neck. Her moods were distinguishable by what she wore. Today was not a good day.

‘Where’s Grace?’ he said, as he entered the living room, expecting to see her next to the fireplace reading a book. He had given her a copy of Heidi for her birthday and wanted to hear her thoughts on it. Anything to give her a break from the diet of Disney movies and cartoons she was force-fed night and day.

‘She’s sleeping,’ Susan said, but she wouldn’t meet his eye. She slipped a hand around Bonnie’s collar, led her into the hall and closed the door.

‘Sleeping?’ Lloyd repeated as she returned to his side. ‘I thought she was nocturnal – so she could play outside in the dark.’ He rubbed the bristles on his chin. This wasn’t going well.

Susan delivered a tight shake of the head. ‘She’s not allowed outside. She’s barely able to walk.’

‘Sorry to hear that . . .’ he said, touching her arm. Flinching, Susan backed away. ‘What’s the problem? What have I done?’ He coughed as the stench of chimney smoke hit the back of his throat. She needed to open her windows or get the flue cleaned. His thoughts were silenced by the look on her face.

‘Sit,’ she said. Unusually assertive, she pointed to the wing-backed armchair next to the fire. ‘I’m going to say this once, then I don’t want you around here any more.’

Lloyd scratched his face. His skin itched all over for the need of another drink. Joanne must have called Susan about him and warned her off.

‘I’m not sitting,’ he drawled. ‘Not until I know what’s going on.’

But what she said next floored him.

‘I’ve been told things about you – unpleasant things,’ Susan blurted, a flame rising to her face. She took a step back, just as Lloyd moved forward. A dance between strangers as he searched for the truth. But Susan looked like a dog who had been kicked one too many times.

A dark, unwelcome thought entered his mind. What if it wasn’t her brain injury making her act this way? What if it was him? There was fear behind her eyes. She was scared.

Furrows deepened his brow. ‘What things?’ he finally said.

Outside the door, Bonnie whimpered, picking up on their discontent.