Shit. I swallow hard and on shaking legs turn and run into the kitchen, slamming the door behind me. A wail comes from the bedroom and I rush up the stairs to the baby, eager to have him safe in my arms. Why would someone be in the woods? The estate agent told us that technically the woods belong to whoever owns the cottage – a sign on the other side of the trees tells visitors it is private property – and as they are effectively in our garden, no one actually enters them, preferring to use the less dense woodland on the other side of the village. In the months since we moved in, I have never seen anyone in these woods – we are just that little bit too far out of the village. Our nearest neighbour is a quarter of a mile away, at the end of the village High Street, which is exactly what we were looking for when we bought the house. Peace and quiet. Only right now, it just feels isolated and lonely. I stop on the landing and stare out through the window, jiggling the baby as he fusses in my arms. I need to feed him, but I can’t relax, not until I know there is no one out there. Cautiously, I make my way downstairs and out through the back door, stopping to make sure my phone is in my pocket and to slide trainers onto my feet in place of flip flops.

‘Hello?’ My voice isn’t as strong as I would have liked as I approach the darkened area of grass where the trees cast their shadow. The weather has changed, and the air feels electric as there is a gust of wind and a thick cloud scuds across the sky, blotting the sun from view. Goosebumps rise on my bare arms and I hold the baby closer. ‘Is anyone there?’ Nothing. No flash of white, no movement apart from the glossy, bottle-green leaves of the trees. I scan the woodland again, shifting the baby to my other arm, anxiety leaving a small lead ball in my belly. A crow shouts, a loud, harsh bark and I turn and hurry back to the house, sure I can feel eyes on the back of my neck.

Chapter Five

‘I’m not saying there was definitely someone there,’ I say irritably, as Rav and I sit in the living room, the television playing some mindless soap opera. For once, he has put his laptop away and the baby lies on Rav’s chest, his tiny body rising and falling with Rav’s breath.

‘You said you saw someone in the trees.’ Dark circles ring Rav’s eyes and his tone is short.

‘I said I saw something,’ I say firmly.