‘Congratulations, mate! That’s fantastic news.’ The marina was a precarious venture, and Johnny knew that Graeme was never sure where his next mortgage payment was coming from, never mind the maintenance for his two daughters. He didn’t know what sort of a man the new owner was, but he had no doubt that Graeme would deliver for him. Once the landowner realised his worth, perhaps it would lead to bigger things, like managing the whole estate. Johnny raised his glass and clinked it against Graeme’s.

They fell into comfortable conversation, with Johnny asking Tilly polite questions about her holiday. Something about the way she paused before answering stuck in his mind; he found her charming, but a little out of place. He told them about the incident on Scafell this morning. Graeme agreed that the classification should be changed from a Grade 1 scramble to an official climb with ropes. It wasn’t that the people who became stuck there were incompetent; simply that one trip could lead to serious injury because of the terrain. It was the same on Helvellyn’s Striding Edge. Most of the fatalities there were as a result of losing one’s footing, but it was a bit like a Great White taking a test bite: it never ended well. Any fall onto sheer rock could kill, and trips and accidents happened even to professionals, but they just couldn’t get it across that inexperienced walkers shouldn’t attempt certain routes.

‘How’s Kelly getting on down south?’ Graeme asked.

‘She’s doing all right. I’m not sure she was too keen, but the case has turned into something national, I think.’

‘That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.’

‘Kelly?’

‘No. Her case. Is she still looking into the Allerdale House burglary?’

Johnny nodded. ‘It’s all part of it.’ He watched Tilly, uncomfortable about saying too much in front of a total stranger.

‘Well, I saw some workmen hanging about one day when I’d pulled up to the beach to see what was going on. I’ve had my eye on the place for a while, wondering what was going to happen to it since old Lord Allerdale died. I had no idea that someone was staying there.’

Johnny took a sip of beer and paused. ‘Look, I don’t mean to be rude, but I’ve only just met your friend, and you know I’m in a difficult position here.’

‘Oh, of course, you’re right. I should have explained. I was giving Tilly a paddle board lesson this morning and thought it wouldn’t do any harm if I took her up to show her the house.’

‘Mate, it’s a crime scene.’

‘I know, but while we were there, she said I should tell the police what I’d seen.’

‘So why are you telling me?’

‘Because you’re Kelly’s boyfriend.’