Tilly shivered. A faint, disturbing thought passed over her head like a shadow: she was on a deserted beach with a guy she didn’t know, right next to a crime scene, and she had no idea why she’d been so stupid. Then Graeme smiled at her and she knew exactly what had led to her poor judgement. But it didn’t change the fact that what she’d thought might be a bit of fun had turned out to be intense and potentially dangerous.

‘Is it public knowledge how he died?’ She needed to keep him distracted.

‘No, I don’t think so. I shouldn’t really be telling you, I guess, but the guy is dead after all. You’re right, this sort of thing just doesn’t happen round here. It was a burglary and they panicked. That boatshed was completely emptied of antiques and kit totalling half a million quid.’

‘Bloody hell.’

‘I know,’ he said, misunderstanding her.

‘No, the house.’ He followed her gaze and nodded realisation.

‘That’s what most people say. The owner wants guests to arrive from the water for exactly this type of effect; you’ve just tested it out for me.’

Tilly gawped at the grandeur and majesty of the house. It was hidden perfectly, and only when you’d begun to walk away from the beach was a full view possible.

‘We’ll build a car park at Portinscale, or the marina, and ferry guests across privately.’

Graeme climbed some wooden steps and Tilly followed him, her worries forgotten.

‘The owner has returned to London; would you like to see inside?’

‘I’m soaking wet!’

‘There’s a cloakroom next to the kitchen, and anyway, downstairs is all slate and wood flooring. I’ll make us a hot drink.’

The cold water, fresh from the fells, had lowered Tilly’s temperature considerably, and she shivered.

‘Come on, you’re getting cold.’ Graeme took her arm and led her up the steps and around the back of the stunning property. He opened a door and stood back to let her in.

Tilly frowned. ‘Why isn’t the place locked up?’

He laughed. ‘We don’t lock doors as a rule here. Of course, we will when it’s up and running.’

‘Do you think he disturbed them then? The burglars?’

‘Yep. That’s exactly what I think. Poor bloke.’

‘Why did they go to the trouble of moving him to the boatyard if he was dead?’

‘I suppose they could have panicked and tried to throw the police off the trail. He was completely naked; I guess that takes away a lot of the evidence, doesn’t it?’

‘Have you been offered counselling?’

‘I don’t need any of that!’

‘What about what you saw?’

‘I’m used to it. I was in the army, I know a gunshot wound when I see one.’

‘It was a gunshot wound?’ Tilly tried to contain her excitement.