‘Yes, by all means. May I just say, Sergeant Tennison, that your reports are very thorough. They often contain inconsequential information, as if you are not really aware of what is important in an investigation.’

Jane felt even more as if she was in school. But Miller was ruder and more intimidating than any teacher she had ever had. As she went through her notes of the interview with Justine Harris, he didn’t make a single encouraging or positive remark. To the contrary, he made her feel as if she were a rank amateur. He even made a very uncomplimentary remark about women gaining promotion too early.

She was finally released to go home and was told that Spencer was still being grilled by Bellamy. It had been a long time since she had felt so depressed. She wished she had someone to lean on, but it was too late to call her parents or her sister. She was also starving. She decided to have fish and chips and, without thinking, drove straight to the place that Dexter had taken her the first time she had been with him. She often wondered where he was and how he was doing, but she had listened to all the advice she’d received to stay clear of him.

And yet here she was, not even admitting to herself the possibility of seeing him. Dexter had real style and had showed genuine heroism when she had been involved in the bombing. He had also made her more sexually aware than any of her previous lovers.

She stood in line and ordered cod and chips with salt and vinegar. After Miller’s grilling, she was feeling at a low ebb, so much so that she wanted to cry.

‘Well, well, well, if it isn’t Jane Tennison.’

Suddenly, there he was. He looked as handsome as ever, and a little bit sun-tanned. A bit like Steve McQueen, she always thought, with the same vivid blue eyes.

‘Oh, hi!’ Her voice caught in her throat. ‘I’ve been working late and the canteen was closed, so I thought I’d come here. I’ve made this quite a regular stop.’

It sounded lame, even to her, but he grinned.

‘Well, they do sell the best fish and chips in London. Are you taking them out?’

As there were only a few tables inside and they were occupied, it was obvious she would not be eating in the shop. But before she could answer, her chips were rolled up in a newspaper and put into a brown bag. She fumbled to get her purse but Dexter already had his wallet out.

‘That’s very nice of you, but it’s not necessary.’

‘I know it’s not necessary, but it’s good to see you.’ He leaned forward and kissed her cheek as he put a five-pound note on the counter. ‘Cod and chips for me, too.’