Naomi stared in horror at the piece of scalp hanging off the corner of the kitchen counter where Lloyd had clipped his head on the way down. Between the hammer and the hard-edged granite surface, it seemed that Lloyd was never getting up again.

There was something off-kilter about Joel’s behaviour. This wasn’t shock. Joel’s right leg shook as he grinned. He was twitchy, unable to stand still. The man was as high as a kite. His gaze fell on Morgan. ‘Good job I was about or you’d be a goner.’

‘Get the keys,’ Naomi said. She didn’t know this man, nor did she trust him. What was he even doing here? ‘The handcuff keys are on a hook on his belt.’

But Joel looked at her curiously, as if examining an animal in a zoo. ‘So this is the famous Naomi,’ he said, running a blood-streaked hand down her cheek.

‘Joel . . . there are oth . . . others,’ Morgan said, between sobs. ‘Can you get us out?’

But Joel just smiled, digging a hand into his sock, his pupils little more than pinpricks. ‘Shhh, chill. When you’ve been nicked as often as I have, you carry your own key.’ He winked at Morgan. ‘Have you worked it out yet, sweet thing? Do you know who I am?’

‘T . . .’ Morgan cleared her throat as she tried to form the word. ‘Taz?’

‘That’s me.’ His voice softened as he crouched to her level and raised a palm to her face. ‘Didn’t I say I’d come and get you? Are you happy to see me?’ His glance fell on the key, seemingly mulling things over. ‘’Cos I don’t want no shit when I get you out.’

‘I’m glad it’s you,’ Morgan said. But her breathing was accelerated, her voice trembling with fear. ‘Quickly, please . . . before John comes back.’

‘This is some fucked-up shit,’ Joel chortled, undoing Morgan’s cuff.

Naomi remained silent. This wasn’t the time to challenge Joel, not when he was holding the key. Ed would be back soon. He would call the police and get them to safety.

‘I’ve got plenty of cash,’ Joel said, as Morgan got to her feet and wiped away her tears. ‘My Beamer’s outside. I can get us both out of here. Somewhere they’ll never find us.’

Naomi’s heart sank as he pocketed the key. He had no intention of letting her go. Her eyes returned to Lloyd’s motionless body, to the blood splattered on the chrome of their American-style fridge freezer. She had escaped death by seconds, but she was not safe yet.

‘Joel,’ Morgan said, offering a watery smile. ‘Can you unlock Naomi? She can’t stay here . . .’

‘She can and she will.’ Joel’s mood plummeted. ‘Or are you playin’ me?’