‘I can’t have anyone else getting hurt because of me. Now, please leave. I’m tired and he could be back at any moment. I’d like to have a bath and be asleep before he gets home.’

‘You’re not safe here,’ Adrian said.

‘I know my place. As long as I do what I’m told then no one else gets hurt. I can’t have anyone else on my conscience.’

‘Have there been others?’

‘There won’t be from now on.’

‘Did you know Leon Quick?’ Imogen asked.

‘A little. Reece told me he took his own life; I was sorry to hear that. I didn’t know him well, but I know he helped Simon out, got him away from Reece. For a little while, at least. I don’t know why Leon killed himself. I promise.’

‘Do you think the suicide was anything to do with your husband?’ Imogen said.

‘It wouldn’t surprise me, but I honestly don’t know. I didn’t know Leon but to say hello. I know Simon and he were close friends.’

‘Why didn’t you ever call the police?’ Adrian said.

‘I did call the police. Not long ago, actually. They did nothing and so I asked Simon to help me leave and now he’s dead. He got away from all this and now, because of me, he’s gone.’ Angela sighed heavily.

‘You spoke to the police? When?’ Imogen asked.

‘Goodnight, detectives.’ She stood up and walked through to the front door.

Imogen waited for Adrian to go first, but he wasn’t going to let this go. He was projecting a lot of energy. She could feel his agitation as he had asked questions and see it in the way he looked at Angela. She had become a symbol to him for the mother he had neglected to protect when he was a child. A mother he couldn’t have protected even if he wanted to. A child can’t fight off a full-grown man.

One thing Imogen did know was that people in these situations needed to help themselves. Angela needed to make the decision. They couldn’t do it for her. In other cases, if the wife wasn’t on board then she just lied and protected her abuser. They needed to show Angela that they could help.

They stepped out of the house and Angela closed the door.

‘You need to stop taking this so personally, Adrian. Look at you! We are doing everything we can,’ Imogen said quietly as they walked towards the car.