His voice was strained, barely more than a whisper. ‘I found her. I came round earlier as I hadn’t heard from her for a few days. She was lying there, next to the fireplace. Stone cold. The police are here now. I don’t know what the fuck to do.’

‘Luc, I’m so sorry. I just can’t take it in. What the hell happened?’

‘It looks as though someone’s caved her head in and she’s got two black eyes. I think the bastard’s finally flipped. She should have got out months ago. I knew something like this would happen.’

Akhmad. What was it that she’d said? That he liked to ‘play rough’ – but it had clearly been much more than that. I had known something was wrong. Why hadn’t I tried to contact her sooner? I was her closest friend. Maybe I could have made her see sense, persuaded her to leave him. It was all so preventable, so tragic. I felt overwhelmed with guilt.

‘He treated her like shit. The guy’s a control freak. She’d been wanting to call it a day for ages. I feel terrible. I think she only stalled because he’d given me a job, and she was worried about messing things up for me. She must’ve finally told him …’

The wave of anger and hatred I felt towards a man I hardly knew momentarily eclipsed the feelings of shock and grief.

‘Stina? Are you still there?’

‘Yes, yes; I’m sorry. It’s just – I can’t get my head round it. She’s always so full of life. I can’t believe she’s gone.’ My heart went out to Luc; poor Luc, who had always relied so heavily on his sister’s support. Always impetuous and cocky, but underneath I recognised that he was insecure and full of self-doubt. What would become of him, without Reggie to bail him out or even give him a metaphorical kick up the backside now and again; her comforting arms when he needed a shoulder to cry on?

The tears came now. My lovely, audacious friend. Her life cut cruelly short by someone who was supposed to care for her. It was so unnecessary, so unfair.

‘Luc, I have to go. I can’t think straight at the moment. Can I call you back later? Text me your number. Look after yourself, sweetheart. I’m so very sorry. I really can’t believe it.’

He mumbled a goodbye and hung up. Jobie sat at my feet, looking up at me quizzically. I buried my face in his silky fur and sobbed. He nuzzled my hand gently, his expression suddenly sad, as if he could read my mind. I felt a rush of love for him. The empathy animals can feel is extraordinary.