‘He killed the girl in Wales,’ Abs said urgently. ‘And other girls, too, because he’s cray cray. But not Tony and Deano, she did that.’

‘Who did it, Abs?’ Sasha asked, and admonished herself instantly, because she had taken her eyes off Rachel Weston.

She turned quickly, to see the woman coming at her with the cattle prod, which was shoved hard into her side. Sasha felt herself judder, her head filled with pain and static, and her muscles went into convulsion. She fell in a heap.

She must have blacked out briefly, because when she opened her eyes, she was vaguely aware of Rachel Weston and her son standing over her, arguing. Rachel was pressing the cattle prod into his arms.

‘She’s police, Mummy.’ Jez’s mouth wobbled with upset. ‘We have to give ourselves up.’

‘Nonsense,’ she told him. ‘You have come so far, I’m so proud of you, and I will not let you throw it all away.’

‘Officers are on their way.’ Sasha tried to lift herself from the floor, but her limbs were shaking from the shock. ‘The best thing for the both of you would be to—’

‘You came here alone.’ Rachel leaned over her. ‘They have no idea where you are.’

‘I took a call, just before I came inside.’ She grimaced; it felt like her ribs were on fire. ‘Trust me, they know all about Jeremy. I strongly advise you to—’

‘Be quiet,’ Rachel barked, and appealed to her son. ‘Once these people have gone, you will be able to live your life. As a husband and a father, as a fine man. Do not give up now, my boy.’ She walked to the glass of bleach on the table. ‘But we must kill them quickly.’

‘The girl who escaped.’ Sasha lifted her head to appeal to Jez. ‘She identified Abs, which means by now she’s identified you.’

‘We used each other’s names, bruv,’ Abs told him. ‘Of course they know it’s you.’

‘Mummy.’ Jez rubbed his balled fists in his eyes. ‘He’s my bestest friend…’

‘Not any more I’m not,’ spat Abs.

‘Do not give up.’ Rachel slapped Jez hard across the face and he flinched in shock. ‘I did not bring you up to be a quitter.’

‘You didn’t bring him up at all,’ Abs told her. ‘Because you were in prison – for murder!’

‘We’ll kill him first.’ Rachel picked up the glass of bleach. ‘I’ll do it right now.’

Abs tried to rise, but Sasha saw he was unsteady on his legs, and when Rachel pressed a hand on his shoulder, he crumpled back into the chair.

‘Abs?’ asked Sasha, seeing the smashed cup at his feet.

‘She gave me something,’ he said. ‘I’m having trouble standing.’

Holding out the glass of bleach, Rachel told him, ‘You’re going to drink it, or I will kill you myself.’