Lloyd took another soothing breath. Good. That was good.

‘Then go with your gut feeling. Martin’s jealous. He’s trying to keep us apart.’ He didn’t have any designs on Susan, but he did value their friendship because without her, he couldn’t see Grace. ‘Can’t you see what he’s doing? Hiding you both away from the world? Now, more than ever, you need me.’ He took a step closer. ‘I’m no paedophile. It’s revolting, that’s what it is. I can’t believe you’d think I was . . .’

‘I don’t,’ she replied instantly. ‘But I can’t go against Martin. Not on this.’

Martin was her main carer. She was wholly dependent on him. But this was an unhealthy relationship. As long as he was pulling the strings, Grace and Susan were under his tight control.

‘Look,’ he said, struggling to find the right words. When it came to matters of the heart, it was like speaking a foreign language, but he had to make her understand. He couldn’t lose Grace now. God help him, he loved her. ‘I need to explain . . .’

But Susan wasn’t listening. She was rushing towards the window, pushing back blankets and curtains to peer outside. The dull thrum of a car engine signalled they had company.

‘It’s Martin, he’s home early.’ She turned towards Lloyd, her expression one of raw fear. ‘Where did you park?’

‘I walked.’ His tone was stony. It was lucky for Martin that Lloyd had left his gun on the seat of his truck. Such carelessness occurred only when he’d had a drink. He squared his feet, ready for a fight. ‘I’m not going anywhere. It’s about time we had this out.’

Martin was nearly a foot shorter than Lloyd, the type of man who would bully his wife but avoid Lloyd like the plague. ‘Don’t you remember what he was like?’ Lloyd added. Martin had grown up in foster care and had always been an oddball. ‘You always felt sorry for him in high school. He latched on to us both.’

‘Please, go!’ Susan shivered like a bird that had been trapped indoors. ‘I can’t think straight.’ She swiped away her tears. ‘I mean it, Lloyd. I’ll listen to what you have to say. But not now. Not like this. Please.’

Lloyd heaved a sigh. Martin would get his comeuppance later. This needed to be planned. Besides, he couldn’t risk not seeing Grace again. Every second in her company was precious, especially now time was running out.

‘I’ll go out the back,’ Lloyd grumbled. ‘But any problems and you call me, you hear? I’m worried about you . . .’ He almost said ‘both’ but if Susan thought he had feelings for her, then perhaps that wasn’t a bad thing.