‘Believe it.’ Fox didn’t quite say told you so, but … ‘It was him, sweetheart, I’m afraid. No doubt about it.’

‘Are you really sure?’ I said.

‘Sure I’m sure, Maggie. He didn’t make no bones about it. I mean, he said it wasn’t his phone – but then he would, wouldn’t he? We’re bringing him in.’

I didn’t answer.

‘Maggie? You still there?’

The Alsatian padded back the other way, towards a big man silhouetted beneath the far end of the bridge.

‘I’m not sure, DI Fox, actually,’ I said quietly. ‘I’m really not sure where I am any more.’

By the time I got into the pub I was shaking with cold and unhappiness and suddenly paranoid about the reception I’d receive from Seb. But I couldn’t see him, and my heart sank further. Perhaps he’d already left. Then I spotted him deep in conversation with the dishevelled dark woman.

‘Maggie!’ He waved from the other side of the bar. ‘Over here.’

I raised a nervous hand. Thank God, though, he looked genuinely happy to see me.

‘Do you want a drink?’ I called, but he shook his head, indicating his own pint.

I ordered myself a large glass of red and managed half of it in one go. Then I had a thought. I took the drink over to a quiet corner and rang my father’s house, Digby lying faithfully on my feet. Jenny answered, slightly out of breath.

‘Those lilies,’ I launched straight in, ‘the ones I asked you to chuck away yesterday. Did you see who sent them by any chance?’

‘Ooh no.’ Her reply came too fast. ‘And, actually, they weren’t lilies, Maggie.’

‘Are you sure?’ I was confused.

‘Quite sure, yes.’ There was a small, embarrassed pause. ‘I gave them to Ethel at school actually – the nice lady who does the reading with the kids. I hope you don’t mind, but it seemed like such a waste, and she was ever so pleased, you know. No, they definitely weren’t lilies. They were a lovely sort of mixed autumnal bouquet.’

She sounded like a florist.

‘Right. And you’re sure you don’t know who sent them?’ I slugged back my drink. ‘It’d really help.’

‘Well,’ Jenny was flustered now, ‘I might have had just a little tiny peep at the card.’

‘And?’ I said impatiently. ‘I don’t mind, honestly.’

‘I think it was your boyfriend,’ she said apologetically, sure I was furious with her.

‘Alex?’ I scrunched my brow, watching Seb across the room as he laughed at something his companion said.