Sighing, Tom dragged his hands over his face and pressed his eyes till they sparked with mosaics and lightning.

'I promise you,' crooned the Gebbeth, 'the rewards for doing this will be great. Follow the plan. Get rid of Sarah. I don't care about five years. She wants forever. Truth is, you don't. Set her free, so she can find someone who does. You don't want her for life. You don't want her. You don’t.

'You're lying if you say you'll get over this. There is no you and she; there is only us. It isn't right to string her along. Many men will have her, and all will be better than you. All of them. How can she be happy with a madman? Let her go, and let us get on with things.

'I am you. I know what is best. If you trust in me, I will take you to a place of complete peace. No more voices; no more pain. And there I will give you unlimited rein. To you do what you love but are ashamed to admit. Alone, in a dear little flat; grey, I think. A perfect, impermeable concrete cube, just a short stroll from work. No one to see you at night. Only one window - for the sky. Just you, your little safe space and your beloved computer. Warm, yes, with candles in red glass. We can run to that. A sanctuary. And not a peep from me.

'Imagine! Cybersex minutes from your work desk. A world of bored, horny housewives, all for you. You, who is Master of Words. Your hand down your pants as you slam the door. Yessssss. You like that, don't you? I feel your desire. It is shameful, yes, but so delicious as to be irresistible.

'But such a prize may only be enjoyed in private. You agree. One that permits no visitors, no calls, no tenacious well wishers and certainly no tear-faced girlfriends! Yes.

'So you must act swiftly, and with terminal precision. The prize is great; "peace at any price" means just that. Let's walk.'

Tom stared in resignation at his terminal and rummaged for his keys. 'Moving the car,' he mumbled.

'Righto,' murmured his colleagues.

To be continued...