‘Um. I’ll try. Well … Oh – the Crunchies. The reason I had two – I try to limit myself, normally – I’d just filed the VAT return for the quarter. A little reward, you know? I’ll check the filing date, I can access the network remotely from here.’

‘Thanks,’ said Patel.

‘Where do you work, Dennis?’ Thomas.

‘Meacham’s, the hauliers. I’m an accountant. In-house, nothing too grand, obviously – glorified book-keeper, really.’

‘Right. So, at the garage?’

‘Yes. When I got there, Corinna was there, too. She was parked on the other side of the pumps; I only saw her car when I got out.’

‘How were you sure it was hers?’ asked Patel.

‘I wasn’t at first. She’s got – had – an Audi like Robin’s. Navy blue, really smart. It made me think of them both and I looked inside, just in case, and she was at the counter, paying. I was pleased – I always liked seeing her. You get very fond of your kids’ friends when you’ve known them so long, all those birthday parties and sleepovers, all the kerfuffle over revision and exam results and teenage parties. Then suddenly, bang, they’re gone – not just your own child but all her friends, too.’

The nerves were making him witter. Come on, Dad, no need to be intimidated. Just tell them what you told me.

‘Corinna was special to us, though, because of what happened later. When Robin had Lennie, I mean – you know about that? Chrissie and I were so grateful to her. We tried to get Robin to come back here so we could help but she wouldn’t do it. She’s … stubborn. Finds it very hard to accept help. At least from us. For some reason, she seems to feel she has to do everything on her own.’

‘She’s here now,’ said DS Thomas, neutral.

‘Never thought I’d see the day. When university started, she high-tailed it out of here like the place was on fire.’ A pause. ‘I’m sorry, that was a bad choice of …’

‘When was the last time you’d seen Corinna before that evening?’ asked Patel.

‘Oh, months ago. Even though she lives just up the road. Robin didn’t stay with her over Christmas this year so we didn’t see her then. I don’t think Chrissie even saw her this time with the cake. She was out; Peter was there with the babysitter.’

‘The cake?’

‘Chocolate cake. Corinna always loved the ones Chrissie used to make for Robin’s birthday so as a little thank you for what she did back then, when Lennie was new, Chrissie used to make her one and drop it round there for her birthday every year. October time – Chris can tell you the date.’

Robin stared at her. What? How did she not know about that? Christine gave a little shrug. So? Do I have to tell you everything?