Yes, yes, I know. Susan reckons there aren’t. And you can tell me all you like about the logic of it. Dead people are dead: they can’t harm you. There is no such thing as ghosts: I know that too. What possible harm can come to you, just sitting in the dark for half an hour? None at all. You won’t even see a body: they’re all locked away in a huge refrigerator, that is if there even are any.

Still.

Kez says, ‘Ah, I dunno, man. Money’s a bit tight at the moment, you know? I don’t think I have ten quid to me name right now.’

I look at Dennis, and his sad face.

‘I’ll do it for the dog,’ I say. ‘You don’t even have to give me a tenner.’ The words are out of my mouth before I really think about it.

Kez stares at me. ‘Hang on. You’ll spend half an hour in there, in the dark, and I don’t even need to give you a tenner? All I have to do is hand over this smelly old hound that’s going to the rescue home, anyway?’

This is not good. Kez is suspicious. Time for some acting. I stand up from the wall and take a few steps in the direction of home.

‘You’re right,’ I say. ‘It’s a stupid idea, and far too scary. There’s no way I could do that just to own a dog for a few days. Bye.’

‘Hang on, hang on,’ says Kez, and I know then that she’s bought it.

Psychology, Susan called it. Seems like it works.

Chapter 67

A lot of the Becker & Sons square building is concealed discreetly behind high hedges, with only the reception bit clearly visible from the street. We’ve come round to the walled car park at the back, beyond which are thick trees and an embankment leading to the old railway line. It’s overlooked by the Beckers’ flat, which occupies the whole of the first floor, but there are no lights on anywhere. It’s very dark and Front Street suddenly feels miles away.

I look at Kez, and I think, Imagine living so close to dead bodies! But of course it’s all normal to her. She goes over to one of the long black funeral cars and crouches down, putting her hand inside the rear wheel arch and extracting a set of keys.

‘Me dad’s forever telling Terry not to leave them there. Good job he ignores him, eh?’ she says. ‘Right then: you ready for this?’

My heart feels tight in my chest and I can hardly swallow. I clench my teeth and give a short nod as Kez approaches us, jangling the keys. We follow her round to the big double doors.