Jasper again sighed impatiently at this blatant flattery, but Juliet spoke over him firmly. ‘Yes, well, that’s because he’s such a total lech. We know him, you see – knew him, I suppose I should say – very well indeed,’ she confirmed bitterly. ‘He never could resist a pretty face.’

Patsy blushed. That Juliet Vander, of all people, should call her pretty! When everyone knew that Juliet was the most beautiful and glamorous girl in all of Oxford.

‘Nobody’s mourning him, I promise you, so you can save any pity you might be feeling,’ Juliet said sourly.

‘So, you got in the car,’ Jasper tried to chivvy both of the women along. ‘Did anyone see you?’ he demanded. This was one of the most crucial things they needed to know, and they had discussed, before setting out, how vital it was to find out just how much danger they were in. Now he noticed that his twin, too, was holding her breath, waiting for the verdict.

‘Oh no, I don’t think so,’ Patsy said annoyingly.

‘You don’t think so?’ Jasper echoed savagely, making her visibly jump.

‘No, I can’t see how they could have done,’ she amended quickly. ‘There was nobody else in the driveway right then. It was dark away from the house lights too, where he’d drawn up under those big bushes you’ve got in your garden,’ Patsy said, a slightly tearful edge to her voice now.

Catching it, Juliet hastily took over. The last thing they needed was for the silly little cow to start sobbing and getting all upset. Not when it was vital that they all behaved normally.

Patsy’s mother would be onto it in a flash if her little darling started moping.

‘You did fine, Patsy, really you did. I couldn’t have done it better myself,’ Juliet said, shooting her twin another ‘keep quiet’ glare. ‘OK, you got in the car and he started off up the main road. The road was passable then?’

‘Yes, the main road was,’ Patsy said, still preening over her idol’s latest praise. ‘But it was still slippery, mind, and the wheels did slide sometimes, but he was a good driver. At least, he was at first, but the further we got away from the house, the more he sort of kept … I don’t know. Slumping over the wheel a bit.’

‘Drunk, was he?’ Jasper sneered.

‘Yes. I suppose he must have been,’ Patsy agreed hesitantly.

‘What happened, exactly? When the car crashed,’ Juliet said, keeping her voice calm and patient.