‘Yeah, I know. Bloody place is turning into the OK Corral.’ He closed the door behind them and showed her into a large room with towels, slippers and ponchos freely available.

‘This will all be smartened up. Guests will be able to grab some walking kit or wet-weather kit and go off for a morning hike, coming back to hot chocolate or a cheeky whisky.’

‘Are you a designer?’ Tilly asked.

‘No, but I know all the tradespeople round here. Someone from London could get ripped off if he talks to the wrong people.’

‘It’s a massive project.’

Once Tilly had dried her hair and wrapped herself in a robe, Graeme took her to a large kitchen and put an old iron kettle on the Aga. He opened a few cupboards and found two mugs.

‘Tea?’

Tilly nodded. Their damp neoprene pumps made prints on the stone floor.

It was a welcome comfort to sip the steaming liquid. Graeme took her into the hallway and she gazed around her in wonder. It was extraordinary; she felt as though she was inside a museum.

‘Wow,’ was all she could say.

‘I know, it’s pretty impressive, isn’t it? Come and look at the view out here.’

She followed him and stared out of the largest single pane of glass she thought she’d ever seen. Derwent Water stretched out in front of them, and beyond the treeline there were mountains and woodland. The image made her feel at peace. George must have loved it here. She lowered her gaze and felt an overwhelming sense of tragedy, but also niggling unease. A gunshot wound. Burglars who carried guns were not usually after a load of sailing kit.

‘If the doors are all left unlocked, why wasn’t the house burgled? There’s stuff in here worth millions: look at that painting, it’s a Cézanne and I bet it’s an original.’

‘Who?’

‘French post-impressionist.’

‘I’ll take your word for it. You’re not just a pretty face, are you?’

‘Do you think he was alone up here? The victim, I mean.’

‘I saw a few workmen in the garden.’

‘What? Did you tell the police?’

‘No, I—’

‘Why? They could have been the burglars!’

Graeme ran his hands through his hair. ‘You’re right. I’d forgotten all about it. I’d just found the body and this place wasn’t even mentioned.’

‘Because they moved him; that was the whole idea, wasn’t it?’

‘You’re right. Between you and me, the officer assigned the case knows her stuff. I teach her how to sail. She’s amazing, and she’ll get whoever did it and find out why.’

‘I’m sure she will. What’s her name?’

Chapter 23