‘I need a shower,’ she said eventually.

‘So do I.’

‘I’ll go first.’ She went into the bathroom and left him on the bed. He shouted to her asking if she’d like a coffee from the tiny shop in the village. She said yes and heard the door slam. By the time she was finished, he was back with two takeaway coffees and a selection of pastries.

‘I know you girls like to stay slim, so I didn’t know what to buy.’

‘It looks wonderful, thank you. There’s another towel in there for you.’

She dressed quickly, suddenly bashful, and devoured a croissant, sipping the warm, creamy coffee as she looked out of the window. The day was clear. People said it always rained up here, but so far all she’d seen was sunshine, though this was only her second day.

Graeme strode naked out of the bathroom and wrapped himself in the towel he was holding, taking a coffee and a Danish roll.

‘So, Tilly Knight, why are you here on your own?’

‘I like travelling alone. I had a few days off, and my grandmother loved it up here; she was from somewhere called Kendal?’

Graeme nodded.

‘Anyway, she died last year, and I thought I’d come and see what all the fuss was about.’

‘I’m glad.’

‘Do you think it might affect business up at the big house – you know, the murder?’

If Graeme was taken aback by the question, he didn’t show it.

‘It’s on your mind, huh?’

‘Well, I never thought a place like this would ever see anything like that.’

‘I agree. It’s really out of character for the area. I heard that poor man came every year, staying at the house with his pal, Lord Allerdale. Like I said, the old man died after Christmas and his grandson inherited the lot.’

‘Was there no son?’

‘No, he died in a boating accident when the boy was ten years old. Sebastian was essentially raised by his house master at school.’

‘What about his mother?’

‘Raging alcoholic. She committed suicide a year after her husband died.’

‘You know a lot about them.’

‘They were like minor celebs up here. Everybody knows the story, it’s nothing new. The boy didn’t have the best start in life.’

‘Was he not close to his grandfather?’

‘No idea. He’s all right, though, for a southerner.’

Tilly slapped his arm.

‘Did the grandson know George well?’

‘George? You’re making it sound like he was an old friend of yours.’

Tilly smiled. ‘Sorry, I’m not used to talking about dead people. I thought it would sound better if I called him by his name.’

‘Good point. I have no idea; my relationship with Sebastian is purely business, though he was interviewed by the police.’

They finished their coffees and each took another pastry.