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‘You did well in there, Poe,’ Doyle said.

‘That was exceptional,’ Doctor Gray said, nodding in agreement. ‘Genuine progress. That was the first time Doctor Lang’s been able to remember anything about your sessions after dissociating back from Bethany.’

‘I’ll tell Bugger he’s been helping in her therapy,’ Poe said. ‘He’ll be pleased.’

‘The two identities are finally starting to bleed into each other,’ Doctor Gray continued. ‘If this carries on we should be able to draw them both out in a safe environment.’

‘Is she getting better?’ a small voice asked.

Poe turned. ‘I’m sorry, Alice, I didn’t see you there. Were you in the observation room?’

Alice nodded.

Of course she was, Poe thought. Alice came to every session and she spoke to Bethany’s doctors every week. She was Bethany’s designated advocate and she had moved house to be closer to the hospital. These things convinced Poe that Bethany would eventually get better.

‘Certainly, today was a step in the right direction,’ Doctor Gray said.

‘Will she ever get out?’

‘If she’s well enough. It might not be for years, but yes, I think she will be discharged to prison at some point. After that it’ll be up to the parole board.’

‘Good,’ Alice said. She turned to Poe. ‘And you’ll keep coming, won’t you, Sergeant Poe?’

‘For as long as it takes, Alice,’ he replied. ‘Too many people have let Bethany down. I won’t be one of them.’

‘Thank you. And how are your nightmares?’

‘Not great,’ Poe said. He looked at Doyle. ‘But I have a good support network. I’ll be fine.’

‘I’m glad.’

Alice said her goodbyes and trundled off down the corridor. She stopped at the secure doors and waited to be buzzed through.

‘Anything from Tilly while I was in there?’ Poe asked Doyle.

‘Sorry, Poe. I sent her a text reminding her there was another session today, but she hasn’t replied yet. Stephanie called to see how it went. She’ll ring you tonight.’

‘Tilly’s probably busy,’ he said, trying not to sound too miserable. He missed Bradshaw terribly but was trying to put on a brave face. It didn’t fool Doyle for a second, but he thought she appreciated the effort.

He glanced down the hospital corridor, to the fob-controlled navy double doors. Bethany’s room was on the other side. She’d be sleeping now but would wake soon. The bravest woman he’d ever met. She had survived hell and had come out the other side punching and kicking.

Maybe he would always see crows when he closed his eyes, but however bad his nightmares got, Poe knew one thing: they could never be as bad as the things Bethany Bowman saw when the shadows lengthened. If she could survive the mercy chair, Poe could damn well cope with missing his friend and having a crappy job.

He linked his arm through Doyle’s, smiled and said, ‘Let’s go home, Estelle.’