‘I was only expecting to be away for one night, you see. I didn’t think my aunt would need me and often I would take the diary home because I had so many arrangements to make with collections and deliveries, and I needed to be sure I got everything right. I didn’t do anything that I wasn’t supposed to do. As soon as I heard what had happened, I came straight here.’

‘So, before you left, how did Mr. Foxley seem to you?’ Jane asked.

‘He was the same as always. A lot of people found him quite difficult to work with. He was very disorganized. He was always misplacing things – his passport, his car keys, his wallet. It was often very difficult to make sure he made his appointments on time, let alone his flights to the US. He was very trying at times, but I genuinely liked him, and he was incredibly generous. But I did find looking after his dogs difficult. He would forget where they were, and when his dog walker was coming or going.’

The more she talked, all the time playing with the pearls around her neck, the more she seemed to relax.

‘Can you think of anyone who would want to harm Mr. Foxley?’ Spencer asked.

That made her smile for the first time.

‘Oh, lots of people disliked him. He was a very tough negotiator.’

‘Were you aware that Mr. Foxley paid considerable amounts of money for prostitutes?’

Her smile vanished, and she put her hand to her mouth with a gasp.

‘Did Mr. Foxley ever make any advances towards you?’ Spencer asked.

‘No, never! Has his ex-wife been saying things about him? She seemed to think any woman who went near Mr. Foxley was having an affair with him – but in reality nothing could have been further from any of our minds . . . ’ She suddenly stopped.

Jane and Spencer let the pause hang in the air, as Julia bowed her head.

‘Sorry, I’m speaking completely out of turn. I don’t think I should answer any more questions.’ She bent down and lifted her overnight bag onto her lap. ‘You wanted Mr. Foxley’s diary.’ She took out a large manila envelope and passed it to Spencer. ‘In his office, you’ll also find the previous three years of diaries.’

Jane pushed her chair back and stood up. ‘Thank you very much for your help, Miss Summers.’

Julia zipped her overnight bag closed. ‘I’m going to see Mr. Myers, now,’ she said, then walked past Spencer, out of the annex, with her eyes down.

Jane looked at Spencer. ‘What do you make of her?’

‘Well, I hope her shorthand and typing is good. She seems a bit feather-brained to me.’

Jane nodded in agreement. ‘I’m just going to the ladies. Do you want to wait for me in reception?’