Freya shrugs. ‘They must have decided it isn’t in the public interest to let it out. Maybe they’re letting this lot stew.’

I shudder, pulling my coat even tighter, reaching inside my pockets, to feel for my phone. All of a sudden I have an urge to call Bonnie and my mind is drifting back to the interest the police showed in my friendship bracelets.

There were five girls on my list including me. They were, at least, the ones I remember – Jill, Bonnie, Tess Carlton, Emma Grey. What could any of us have possibly had to do with the body?

Suddenly I feel like I should never have come back. I don’t want to get involved in Freya’s games – I can’t trust her – and yet I find myself asking, ‘You say the police have been back to see some of them more than once?’

Freya nods.

‘Who?’

‘Susan Carlton; Annie Webb; Bob Taylor. You remember the names?’ she asks.

‘Yes,’ I say with a tight breath. They were my mother’s best friend; our adopted aunt; Jill’s dad. ‘Do you know why they’re focused on them?’

‘No,’ Freya says, with a short laugh. ‘But maybe they’re the ones you could start talking to?’

‘I’m not sure I want to get involved,’ I say. ‘And I don’t see what you think I’m going to find out that’s going to help. If the detectives couldn’t get anything out of them, they’re hardly going to tell me. Besides, they could have been questioned for any old reason.’

‘Sure. But let’s face it, Stella, we’re both here with questions and I think yours are probably lying deeper than you’d care to admit.’

I glance back at her, screwing up my eyes.

‘The body was found in your garden,’ she says. ‘I’m sure that’s a big part of the reason you’re back.’

‘Outside it,’ I growl, angry at her suggestion. I stand up.

‘Only just,’ she says, looking behind us. ‘Oh, wait up,’ she adds, grabbing my arm over the back of the bench as I begin to walk away. ‘I’m sorry! That was careless and uncalled for. I’m like that. It comes with the job. Please. I’m sorry,’ she says again, releasing me. ‘I didn’t mean anything. Look, maybe we can talk some more tomorrow.’

I shrug as I pull my mobile out of my pocket. ‘I need to go,’ I mumble. ‘I have to call my sister.’

Freya shakes her head. ‘Not around here, no reception anywhere on this island.’

I look down at the phone and sure enough there are no bars. I stare at it a moment longer before tucking it back into my pocket. I had never before thought of Evergreen as isolated, but now I’ve never felt more so.

Chapter Nine