‘You’re looking well, by the way. How’s Georgie?’ I peered into the pram. The baby was sleeping, but his cheeks were rosy and well rounded.

‘He’s been fine, thank God. No more episodes; not yet, anyway. A proper little gannet – eating us out of house and home.’ She looked over towards Rose Cottage. ‘Mum said the old dear’s in hospital. She all right?’

‘She is now. It was touch and go for a time, but she’s making a good recovery, thankfully. Due to be discharged soon.’

Lucy nodded, but I suspected she wasn’t really too concerned about Mrs Barley’s welfare. ‘By the way, did you ever see anything of that bloke again – you know, the one you saw in the garden?’

I felt oddly light-headed. ‘Not for a while, no. I had thought I’d heard something once or twice next door, though, since Mrs Barley was taken into hospital, but you know how these old houses are; all creaking floorboards and window frames. But I was round there the other day and had this really odd feeling – as though someone was watching me.’

‘Oh, dear.’ She shuddered. ‘Ooh I’ve gone all cold.’ She lowered her voice. ‘Hey, you don’t think there’s someone squatting in there, do you?’

I was still certain that any intruder was more likely to be not of this world, but thought she might think I’d gone round the twist if I said as much. I recalled one occasion as a child when my mum had actually collected me from school, I’d overheard a woman at the gate saying behind a cupped hand, ‘That one’s a couple of sandwiches short of a picnic.’ I didn’t want anyone to say the same of me.

‘I hope not,’ I responded. ‘I mean, I think there would’ve been some sort of evidence if there was someone actually staying there. Probably just my imagination.’

‘Why don’t you get Jack to go and have a look, if you’re concerned? Just in case.’

I remembered the sensation of being watched when I’d been in the cottage the other day, and wondered if my instinct had actually been right. The hairs on my arms prickled at the prospect. If I could only convince Jack that there was a presence in the house. It seemed the most likely explanation, given that no one else had seen the man. Not everyone is sensitive to ghosts. I wasn’t entirely comfortable with the idea, but maybe I was more receptive to it for some reason.

We chatted a little longer and parted company. I went to buy my groceries and returned home. My appetite had vanished.

Jack was making his way around the living room on all fours in monster guise, pretending to chase a squealing Elodie. He looked up as I came through the door.

‘What’s up?’