‘You on holiday? That’s not a local accent.’ He let go of her hand once she was on her feet and put his hands on his hips. His voice was soft and the accent not too thick. He looked at her with confident assurance and it made her feel that she’d like to spend time with him. Her eyes wandered to his chest again.

‘Yes. I’ve just come up for a couple of days from London.’

‘No one comes from London for a couple of days! Stay longer. It’s going to be perfect this weekend.’

‘It is beautiful. I’ve just been walking round the lake.’ She was lying; this was her first stop.

‘You rise early. Do you sail?’

‘No! God, I wouldn’t have the first clue.’

‘So are you lost? This is a boatyard.’ He laughed, and she watched him.

‘I thought I might start small and rent a kayak or something. That’s easy, isn’t it? I got your details from the Keswick Launch.’

He glanced over his shoulder, then back to her. ‘The paddle boards are more fun if you don’t mind getting wet.’

‘Can you show me?’

‘They do instruction in the shop, but we’re not busy yet, so why not? Come on, let’s get you into a wetsuit. Have you got a costume under there?’ He eyed her clothes. She returned his glance with a puzzled look and he smiled again. ‘No lakes in London, eh?’

He walked towards the shop and went into a shed to the side of the entrance, speaking over his shoulder.

‘You came at the right time; it’s going to get busy later.’

She really wanted to find out where The Lady of the Lake was kept, but this was a good start. She followed him inside.

‘What’s your name?’ he asked.

‘Tilly, pleased to meet you, I think. Do you work here?’

‘I own the business. I’m Graeme, pleased to meet you too.’ He smiled and took her hand again. This would do very nicely, she thought. It was a local boat owner who’d found the body, according to the woman at the ice cream parlour. This guy must know all the boat owners around here.

‘I think this will fit; you’re slim and in good shape. You should be fine. You can change in there.’ He pointed to a curtained changing room.

‘What do I wear underneath?’

‘I’ll go and get you a costume, on the house. I won’t tell if you don’t.’

He returned with a Speedo swimsuit and she changed behind the curtain. She saw him admiring her when she re-emerged. This afternoon’s research might turn out to be a real perk of the job.