Mitch would be home by 5pm. It was his last day of term and after mince pies and mulled wine with the pupils, he’d no doubt be expecting me. Even though we hadn’t spoken last night, my neurosis seemed bizarrely out of place in the present situation and the distraction had temporarily dulled my own emotional misery.

Oliver made me promise to call him later and Dominique gave me a large box of festive pastries to share with my family over Christmas.

‘Sugar is a great antidote to shock,’ she said.

The return journey felt surreal as the train rumbled back through the tunnels. The early office closures on the last working day before Christmas meant the carriage was hot and stuffy. Unlike in the morning, it was now crowded with noisy ebullient home-goers.

I slipped the photocopied note from my pocket and read the final words of Roger Pennington.

My darling Crystal,

I’ve written many notes, both on paper and in my mind, for this moment. They have all been torn up and shredded. Crystal, I love you with all my heart and soul. Without you my life has no meaning.

Take care, my darling, and move on. You’re finally free from guilt and ties.

For ever, Roger.

7

Rebecca

I rang the doorbell, shivering under my coat. My fingers, numb with frost, stuck to the bell as I jabbed the button.

‘Afternoon, love. Not sure if he’s in.’

The man from flat number two appeared. ‘007’ Mitch called him; a spy coming and going at all hours of day and night. We laughed together when we learned his real job involved work at the postal sorting office.

‘Thanks.’

I didn’t check my face this time in the mirror. The hall clock showed it was exactly five. As I knocked on the door to Mitch’s flat, I realised it wasn’t locked. I gingerly pushed it open, noticing that there was a newly fitted Yale lock.

‘Mitch? Mitch? It’s only me.’

There was no reply. I threw my coat over the sofa and wandered through the flat. He’d probably popped to the corner shop for milk or teabags. Bizarrely I felt like a snooping spouse; looking for clues that might prove my partner was up to no good. Sixth sense took me towards the bedroom.

First I noticed a tiny pile of white powder on the bedside cabinet. Beside it was a small gold chain with the tiny letter ‘T’ attached. I went to the wardrobe and slid the doors open and pulled back the neat row of jeans and shirts. I didn’t know what, if anything, I was looking for.