Tom’s mind immediately flashed to Penny. Could this be the same person? Maybe she had tried here before. Perhaps the place was significant to her, so she had come back to try again – this time with more success.

‘Not that saving the poor lass did a lot of good,’ the man said. ‘We heard two weeks later that she’d taken herself off somewhere else and done the job properly. Me and my mate went to the funeral – to pay our respects, you know. Dreadful affair. The family were in pieces. Her sister was a complete wreck and had to be carried out of the service by her dad.’

Tom and Becky made their way slowly back to the car. The man had given them all the information he could remember about the attempted suicide, and Becky had taken his contact details. He said he had written the girl’s name down – it was somewhere at home – and he promised to find it and give Becky a call. Tom wasn’t hopeful it would be of any use, but he couldn’t afford to ignore any possible leads.

They got into the car, but instead of driving away Tom sat and looked out of the windscreen, not really taking in the view. They were both silent for a few moments.

‘You spoke to the management of the park, didn’t you?’ Tom asked.

‘Yes, and to the volunteers who help maintain it. They confirmed what we already know. The hide where Penny was found is the only one without a padlock. This wasn’t a random choice, Tom. She, or whoever took her there, had to know that fact in advance, and as far as we can tell it isn’t publicised anywhere.’

‘It’s such a popular beauty spot, though, so even if the hide had been checked out in advance I don’t suppose we’ll ever know when, or by whom. Let’s give the locals a call and see what, if anything, they have on the girl who tried to kill herself here. It may not have been reported, but I bet they know about it nevertheless. It would be easier with her name, but I’m not inclined to wait. You phone them; I’ll drive.’

He was about to switch on the engine when his mobile rang. He could see from the caller ID that it was Keith.

‘Yes, Keith. What can I do for you?’ Tom asked.

‘There’s a gentleman here who says he’d like a word with you, sir. I told him you were out, but he said he would wait. Says his name’s Nathan Gardner.’