‘Disappointing? I know. One day, it’ll crumble and disappear, but sheep are more valuable than a pile of five-thousand-year-old stones in these parts.’

They walked through the gate, taking care to avoid sheep shit, and, as they cornered around a series of bushes, Rob stopped.

‘Fucking hell, boss!’

‘I know, it’s amazing isn’t it?’

‘Do they charge entry?’

‘Who? English Heritage? No, it’s free. Anyone can come up here, anytime. Even before dawn.’

‘What the hell was she thinking?’ Rob meant Carla Rigg.

‘I have no idea, but I’d love to know if she was alone.’

They walked towards the impressive site and took their time. It was that kind of place: one where time had to be paused and enjoyed. Kelly reached a stone first and put out her hand to touch it. Of course it was cold, as she expected, but it was also soft and feminine somehow.

‘How the hell did they haul these up here, five thousand years ago?’ Rob asked.

‘From Borrowdale Valley as well. God knows, rollers? Cattle and carts? No idea. There’s no official history of the place. It makes it a magnet for hair-brained theories and Pagan loonies. Especially around the solstices.’

‘Solstices?’

‘Oh, come on, Rob. Longest day and shortest day? Don’t you watch the news in June when hippies camp at Stonehenge and dance and chant, praying to the sun and moon?’

‘Oh, that solstice.’

‘There are two. One in summer for the longest day, and one in winter – the shortest day. Apparently, the stones align on those days with various points astrologically.’

‘Really? Like the Incas and stuff?’

‘Yeah, and stuff,’ Kelly replied, rolling her eyes. Rob knew much of maths and technology but little of the ancients, and why should he? It was her non-biological father who’d taught her the history of much of the fells. Ironically, Ted, her real father, had taught her the rest.

‘Is it important?’ Rob asked.

‘Not really, we’re nowhere near solstice and there’s no evidence of symbolism. It could be that it was the nearest structure to where she took off her clothes. It might have been shelter.’ She turned around. ‘She came from over there.’ Kelly pointed to where the clothes had been found. She walked to the centre of the circle and realised that the potential route taken by the girl lined up with the two main stones of the circle. She made a mental note.

‘It’s incredible,’ Rob said. ‘I can’t believe it was an accidental find. It’s too important a site, isn’t it?’