‘ See!’

The tone that echoed in Jennifer’s head, in the Southern drawl she had forgotten, was triumphant. To the policewoman Jennifer said, ‘Nothing. I’m all right. Thank you.’

‘ You’re not. You’re possessed. But no-one is going to believe you because there’s no such thing as ghosts or possession, is there? ’

She could beat her, Jennifer decided: had to beat her, for Christ’s sake! If Jane was in her mind then she could read her mind – had already shown she could – so she didn’t have to speak: it was just appearing to talk to herself that would make people think she was mentally deranged.

‘ Of course I know what you’re thinking but that won’t do. I told you, you’re trapped: mine to do with what I want. And I will do what I want with you. So you’ll say the words for people to hear and they’ll decide you’re insane.’

‘Why?’ implored Jennifer, aloud and unable to stop herself. She’d spoken! No! No! No!

‘ You murdered me, you and Gerald. Bastards! ’

The accusation ended in a scream and Jennifer physically winced at the sound in her head. ‘I didn’t! We didn’t! It was an accident! You did it yourself: an accidental overdose.’

‘ LIAR! ’

It was a roar this time and Jennifer winced again and the woman sergeant came forward once more. ‘Mrs Lomax?’

‘I’m all right, really.’ Both hands and her left arm were heavily bandaged; a saline drip needle was strapped to her right hand. To gesture, which she did slightly, genuinely hurt. ‘The anaesthetic is wearing off.’

‘Do you want me to call a nurse? Or a doctor?’

‘It’s not that bad.’

‘ You can’t begin to believe how bad it’s going to get. ’

Jennifer remained tight lipped. She had to think! Work it out. But she couldn’t think without Jane – the voice – knowing what those thoughts were.