Her eyes followed my gaze. She pursed her lips. ‘Folklore, you say?’

‘Yes, it’s very interesting. But I need to rest or I’m going to be writing a pile of rubbish.’

She stared at the laptop for a moment, then turned back to me and beamed. ‘You settle back down then, love – I can let myself out. And if you have trouble sleeping again, just you let me know. I can mix you up a nice herbal draught – I know my stuff and it’s quite safe in pregnancy, so you won’t need to worry on that score.’

I thanked her, but still had no intention of taking any herbal preparation she offered me, whatever assurances she may have given.

Eventually I managed to doze a little, but despite my best attempts to block out the light and noise, I could still hear banter and laughter from Kenny and the lads, and the thud of their work boots as they climbed repeatedly up and down the scaffolding and across the roof. In the end I gave up, and after a mug of milky coffee decided to resume my research into Avoncote, hoping that I might get a decent sleep the following night through sheer exhaustion. Frustratingly, it proved impossible to concentrate. The deadline was still over a fortnight away, but I was beginning to think I wouldn’t make it. My head felt as if it were stuffed with cotton wool. In the end, I decided I might be best taking a walk and getting some fresh air in an attempt to put all thoughts of the previous night’s events behind me.

I put on Jobie’s lead and wandered up to the village green. A mother duck, followed by seven fluffy ducklings, was waddling across the far side of the grass towards the pond. The dog began to strain eagerly in their direction and I had to use all my strength to pull him back.

‘Someone being a bad lad this morning?’

I looked round to see Lucy walking slowly up the road. Her abdomen had ballooned, making her gait comical. She had reins on a squealing Alfie, who looked equally keen to head for the ducks. I smiled and nodded.

‘I don’t think Jobie would hurt them; he’s such a softie. But he seems to find them very interesting!’

We watched as the little feathered family reached the water and bobbed purposefully across towards the opposite side. Alfie continued to tug at the reins, so Lucy scooped him up.

‘How are you keeping?’ I asked. ‘Sorry, I’ve been meaning to text you. Can’t be long now.’