‘We’d like to ask you a few questions, ma’am. Is your husband in?’

‘My husband?’

‘Yes. Mr Frederick O’Reilly?’

They now had her attention.

‘Erm. Yes. What is this about?’

‘We’d appreciate it if you’d get your husband, Mrs O’Reilly. It’s important. Perhaps we could come in?’

‘Well, I’m expecting guests. It’s not really ideal.’

‘I’m sorry, ma’am, but it is very important.’

‘What’s it regarding?’

‘Could we see your husband?’

Sandra rolled her eyes and shut the door. ‘Fred!’

Fred came out of the downstairs toilet with a towel and responded to his wife’s hollering. He looked behind her, expecting to see the Spencers, but no one was there and the door was closed.

‘Who was that?’

‘The police.’

‘Really? I wonder if there have been some burglaries in the area again. They came in the gardens last time.’

‘I know. Can you hurry them along? I don’t think it will look good if Annie sees—’

‘You’re paranoid, Sandra. Let me see what they want.’

‘They want to come in.’

‘Well, they’re on our side. We’ve got nothing to worry about.’

Sandra was unsure and fiddled further with her garments. ‘I’ll go and check the cakes.’ She disappeared into the kitchen and Fred went to get the door. As he opened it, he saw Joe pull up in his car. Fred waved but he could see that Joe’s face was concerned when he saw the police at the door.

‘Can I help?’ Fred asked the officers.

‘Are you Frederick O’Reilly, sir?’

‘Yes.’

‘May we come in?’

‘I’m about to have guests. Look, they’re behind you. Is this to do with the burglaries last year?’

‘No, sir.’

Fred didn’t move. Joe came through the gate and Annie followed behind him, staring at the police officers. Their boys looked as though they’d grown a full foot each, thought Fred.

‘Joe! Annie! Boys! My goodness, you’ve shot up!’ He gestured to the police officers. ‘House calls. Go in, I won’t be long.’

Fred moved aside and shouted Sandra. He went back to the two officers, who – he noted – looked a little impatient, and waited.

‘Sir, do you know Mary Hales?’

‘Of course I do. She’s a dear friend. Is she all right?’

Something in the officers’ faces made Fred stop and pay more attention to the Sunday house call.

‘What?’ he asked, looking from one to the other.

‘We can see you’re busy, sir. We would have preferred to come in. Mary Hales was found dead in her home on Friday evening, sir. We have reason to believe that you might have been one of the last people to see her alive.’