‘If you know animals it’s easy to communicate with them.’

‘Surely someone who you’re describing would be an animal lover?’

‘Maybe. Maybe not.’

‘Did you see Mary outside of the birdwatching group?’

‘Occasionally.’

‘Did she mention other friends? Fallings out? Problems or anxieties?’

‘No.’

‘Were you aware of any other close acquaintances? What about her neighbours?’

‘She kept herself to herself. She trusted animals more than people, and I tend to agree with her.’

‘It says in the report that when the initial responders came to visit you to inform you of Mary’s death, you had Mr Joe Spencer and his family around for lunch, is that correct?’

‘Yes, why?’

‘How do you know Mr Spencer?’

‘I can’t remember how we met. He works for English Heritage and I volunteer a lot. We have a love of the fells in common, and nature in general. We both like peace and quiet.’

‘Did he know Mary?’

‘Not really.’

‘Can you be more specific?’

‘He’s known me a long time and so he’s heard a lot about Mary.’

‘It says in his statement that he met her.’

The door opened and Sandra came in with a tray of tea and biscuits.

‘They’re home-made with my churned butter.’ She set the tray down and Rob took a biscuit. Sandra poured tea. Kelly watched Fred.

‘Mrs O’Reilly. Which bird is it making all that racket in your garden?’

‘Oh, they’re the loudest birds on earth. They’re wrens. They’ve been coming to our garden for ten years or more.’

‘The king of birds,’ Kelly said.

‘Yes, they are. People think it’s the eagle but legend has it that when the eagle dared the smaller birds to fly the highest the wren hid under his wing and tricked him, flying out at the last minute to fly the highest and gaining the regal epithet. They act like it too.’ Sandra smiled. ‘They strut round and shout their desires like any small dictator would. But they eat my bugs and protect my cauliflowers so they’re welcome here every year.’

‘Mary had wrens too. Did you talk about them at the birdwatching group?’

‘What birdwatching group?’ Sandra looked at Fred. His face barely changed, but it was enough.

‘The group that Fred and Mary ran together, it was a birdwatching group?’

‘Ah, of course! I thought you meant some sort of rambling group who went and hid in bushes spotting new species. You mean the group where we painted them, and talked about their habitats and how to protect them? I call it more of a conservation group, that’s why I’m confused.’

Sandra stood, spoon and sugar in hand, waiting for Kelly to respond. Fred’s face was set and still. Kelly noticed that Sandra’s décolletage had turned pink.

‘The biscuits are lovely, Sandra, thank you,’ Rob broke the silence.

‘How well did you know Mary?’ Kelly asked Sandra.