Still, I’d heard a thud, and this meant I had to
investigate.
With an old walking cane I’d left at the door for just such a
situation in one hand, and my finger on the remote’s big red
button, I made my way downstairs, pausing once on the landing to
listen for another disturbance. My breathing sounded unnaturally
loud – dreadful wheezy gasps – and I couldn’t stop my hand from
shaking. Pity any intruder if there were in fact someone here in
the house with me. My fear verged on outright anger and I thought
of the few times someone had tried to rob me. I might be a woman,
but I was not an easy target – as the last would-be pickpocket had
discovered to his testicles’ detriment.
The clock in the lounge chimed the hour. Six PM. The cold of
nightfall lay heavily in the air and I shou
