‘Only through the group, and she came here for tea once or twice. She was a lovely woman, very peaceful and good natured. She loved her animals.’

‘Can you think of anything she mentioned about making enemies or being in conflict with anyone?’

‘No, never. Well, her neighbours complained about her animals, the cats mainly. But it was never aggressive or threatening. It’s terrible.’

‘We’ve interviewed the other members of your… conservation group. Would you say that you had the same casual relationship with all of them?’

‘I’d describe us all as friends.’ Sandra was tentative and glanced at her husband, who nodded.

‘How long have you known Joe Spencer?’

‘Joe?’ Sandra looked at Fred and Kelly noticed fear behind her eyes. ‘Has Joe got something to do with this? He was with us on Sunday.’

‘Of course he hasn’t, Sandra! He was here, that’s all, he could have known Mary,’ Fred corrected his wife.

‘Oh. How long have we known Joe and Annie, Fred? Five or six years? I don’t rightly know. They’re a lovely family. I’m not sure he ever met Mary properly.’

‘Properly?’ Kelly asked. Again there was a slight shift in atmosphere and the incense mingled with the draft became irritatingly sweet rather than soothing.

Sandra fiddled with her apron and began to fill up Fred’s tea cup.

‘Sorry?’ she asked Kelly.

‘You said you didn’t think he met her properly, that implies that he met her but perhaps not to get to know, can you clarify what you meant?’ Kelly asked.

‘It must have been here. A long time ago. They must have met over tea. Joe likes wildlife.’

‘Right. Of course he does, he works for English Heritage. Well, if you think of anything else we might consider. It’s vitally important that we piece together Mary’s life, so that we can spot anything unusual. There’s our cards, call us anytime. Thank you for the tea.’

They stood up and said pleasant goodbyes. Sandra saw them to the door. As they left, they could hear frenzied chirping from the back garden.

‘They’re noisy aren’t they?’ Kelly asked.

Sandra opened the door. ‘They’re deceptive. They have the loudest voices but the smallest demeanours. Often the strongest punch comes from the underdog.’ Sandra was back in safe territory, talking about her birds.

‘Do wrens have special significance for your birdwatching group, Sandra?’ Kelly asked as they were shown out.

Sandra made a noise that was akin to a cross between a grunt and a laugh. Kelly had heard it thousands of times before: it was the classic sign of nerves. ‘They’re considered to be the most ancient of birds and really were once people. Druids in fact. That’s why they like nests that resemble caves. They’re cheeky because they have to trick the winter.’

‘Are they that clever?’

‘Oh, yes.’

‘What would it take to trick them?’