‘Close. You know about her dad? She was eight at the time and it made them super-tight. It was just the two of them all those years, looking out for each other.’

‘What did Becca say about living at home?’ asked Maggie.

‘Not a lot – she didn’t really talk about it. Occasionally she made a throw-away comment about living with her mother but I think it was just to stop people teasing her. Her mum did her washing and ironing, looked after her like that. And it made financial sense. Even sharing a place would have cost a few hundred a month, and she doesn’t earn much at Hanley’s.’

‘From what we’ve heard, she’s a bright girl, sparky. She didn’t want to go to university?’

‘No. She is bright, definitely – she’s quick, very sharp, it’s one of the things I like about her. But she was never particularly into academic work. She did all right at Grafton, she didn’t struggle, but it’s not a specially academic school. It’s one of their things, a range: they have the academics for those who want it but it’s not all about that. It’s not a pressure-cooker.’

‘What did she get for A-level?’

‘An A and two Cs.’

‘What was the A?’

‘Home Economics. Not that it’s just cooking but she’s really good at it. Properly good – Lucy and I keep telling her to apply for the Bake Off. And swimming. She was captain of the school team but she only does it for fun now. Did.’

‘Did?’ said Maggie.

‘I mean, she stopped doing it competitively after school. She didn’t join a local team, which she could have done. Recently she hasn’t even had time to go to the pool.’

‘Harry, when Valerie said you’d killed Becca,’ asked Robin, ‘what do you think she meant? Exactly. Was she just talking about drugs or was she accusing you of actually murdering her?’

He shook his head. ‘I honestly don’t know.’

As they walked back through the Custard Factory, Robin’s personal phone rang. Kevin Y. She hesitated.

Maggie looked at her. ‘Are you going to answer that?’

‘Here.’ Robin handed her the car key. ‘You go ahead; this’ll only take a second.’

‘It’s okay, I don’t mind waiting.’

‘No, it’s chilly. Go and get the motor going.’

With a quizzical look, Maggie took the key. The phone stopped before she was out of earshot; Robin waited a moment then hit redial, moving away from the café she was standing outside when she glimpsed Jas and Suze through the window.

‘Hiya,’ said Kev. ‘Thought I’d missed you.’

‘Sorry, I was just finishing something.’ She glanced ahead. Maggie was turning the corner onto the main road, out of sight. ‘How are things? Have you got news for me?’