‘No, I’m afraid not, madam,’ Trudy said, thinking that there was very little point in beating about the bush. Although it was hardly ever a good idea to give out information, she knew that the news of the fatal accident would be out and doing the rounds before lunchtime. Snow or no snow! And she needed this woman’s help. ‘We’re trying to locate his next of kin. Have you been neighbours long, Mrs …?’ she probed gently.

‘Kirk. Kitty Kirk. Er, nearly four years now. What happened?’ the woman asked again, looking eager and curious now that her initial fright had passed.

‘We’re still investigating, Mrs Kirk,’ Trudy said firmly. Just because the local grapevine would soon be in overdrive, she saw no reason to add her own tuppence’s worth. ‘Is Mr Parker married?’

‘Oh no, love, not him!’ Kitty Kirk said with a sudden and knowing smile. Trudy nodded, taking on board the tacit message. Their victim was something of a ladies’ man. Probably not relevant, but still interesting to know.

‘I don’t suppose you happen to have an address for his parents?’ Trudy asked next, but without much hope.

‘Oh no, love,’ the older woman said, right on cue. ‘He’s not one to be over-friendly like. Well, not with his neighbours anyway,’ she added, with another knowing smile.

Trudy sighed. ‘Is there anything you can tell us about where he might have been last night?’ she asked, again without much hope.

But this time, her luck seemed to be improving. ‘Oh, he was sure to be at that fancy party,’ Kitty said, her lips twisting into yet another smile that was just a little crooked. ‘I heard from Doris three doors down that he’d been invited. Well, I’m not that surprised. He was the sort who would be, if you know what I mean.’

Trudy didn’t, but she definitely wanted to find out. ‘Fancy party? Do you know where this was?’

‘Oh, Doris said it was in one of those mansions down along Banbury Road. A widow-woman,’ she added with heavy emphasis. ‘Mrs … Oh, what was the name? Doris said everyone who was anyone was going … well, that rules me out then, don’t it, love?’ Kitty added with a laugh. ‘Mrs Vander!’ she suddenly squealed loudly, making both Trudy and Clement jump. ‘Yerse, that was her name. Mrs Vander … like I said, a widow-woman. Well-heeled. Just Terry’s type if you ask me,’ she added, nodding with satisfaction at her ability to recall the name. ‘Terry’s a nice enough lad, but he’s got ideas above his station, you ask me.’

‘I don’t suppose you know the exact address of this party?’ Trudy asked.

‘No, but Doris will,’ Kitty predicted smugly. ‘Do you want me to go round and ask her?’