Chapter 1: The Pro

      The present

      Bridget could hear cars passing on the wet roadside below the windows of the listed Victorian building where she worked. The traffic around Exeter’s Quadrangle started to change at this time of night, from people making their way back from work, to people seeking something a little more interesting than what they had going on at home. She looked down from her window. The rain had abated for a few moments and the streets were empty, aside from the occasional vehicle. The only other sound she could hear was her flatmate, Estelle, in the room next door, ‘entertaining’ her client, headboard banging against the wall. She stared at the illuminated face of the clock tower a few hundred yards from her house and waited. Her visitor was late. He was never late.

      There was a knock on the door and before Bridget had a chance to answer, Estelle burst in, half-naked and out of breath.

      ‘I need a solid.’

      ‘Sounded like you were getting one.’

      ‘Good one.’ She adjusted her bra and flicked her hair extensions back. ‘I mean I need a favour.’

      ‘What kind of favour?’ Bridget didn’t want to know; Estelle’s favours were always a little extreme.

      ‘I’ve got Hitchcock with me and he wants extra time. I need you to take the Baby.’

      ‘No way, Estelle, he’s your problem, not mine. Besides, I’m waiting for someone.’

      ‘Come on, please, Bridge! He doesn’t even do anything, he just needs a cuddle and he sleeps the whole time. I’ll be ten minutes – tops!’

      Bridget looked at her watch.

      ‘Fine, but just this once, Estelle, you know I’m not into all that.’

      ‘I’ll owe