She made a mental note to look into it. She wanted to know if it was an isolated case or something that had happened before or since. The name Harry O’Connor meant nothing to her, and a quick input into the national police computer had flagged up zero. The O’Connor family, and those like them, were used to moving on; it was their way of life, and it made tracking them down virtually impossible.

‘What’s on your mind?’ Johnny brought her out of her musings. They were almost back to sea level and Kelly’s body felt drained, but it had been worth it.

‘Animal cruelty case. I don’t understand how anyone can do it. It’s like kids. I don’t get it.’

‘Recent?’

‘No, ages ago. But still…’

‘I heard of that. I hadn’t been here long, I thought you were all savages. Was it the one over High Rigg farm? Birds and dogs?’

‘High Rigg farm? When was that?’ Kelly asked. The one she’d been given was definitely Birkett Mire.

‘I’ve been here five years, so 2013.’

‘No, this was 2005,’ Kelly said. She began to walk with her hands on her hips, brow creased, staring at her boyfriend.

‘Oh, popular sport round here, then?’ he asked.

Chapter 16

Ted’s cottage smelled homely and full of cooking. Kelly’s stomach ached for food, despite her and Johnny devouring several chocolate bars and a slice of cake each after their run. Showered and changed, they’d stopped off for a few bottles of wine on their way back to Keswick. Kelly drove. She could have one glass of red with her dinner.

Josie and Ted were in animated conversation in the lounge and Ted wore a pinafore. They both heard Josie laugh out loud and remained in the kitchen. The teenager hadn’t seemed as free from crippling self-awareness the whole time she’d been living with her dad. The girl was growing up. They got crockery out of a cupboard and went into the lounge to see Ted and Josie setting the table.

‘Josie was showing me how to floss.’

‘What?’ Johnny asked. Kelly raised her eyebrows. She only knew what the dance term was because of her attachment to several foster homes around the area. She’d spent many evenings watching teenagers display their talents as she waited to speak to their carers regarding domestic cases. She smiled. They watched as Ted attempted the manoeuvre for his new audience. He was terrible at it.

‘Hungry?’ he asked his visitors, unfazed by his inability, but a little breathless.

‘Starving.’

Kelly and Johnny sank into a large sofa and Johnny accepted a beer.

‘How was climbing tonight? That’s three times in a row. Must be good. Do I need to start thinking about getting shares in Snow and Rock?’ Johnny asked his daughter.