‘Okay, right. So you saw Corinna inside, paying?’ said Thomas.

‘Yes. She didn’t see me, I don’t think, but when she came out, I called to her. It was odd. For a second she seemed really pleased to see me, she smiled and started to come towards me but then she stopped. She gave me a little wave, shouted “Hiya Dennis, sorry, got to go, mad rush,” something like that, then backed away. It wasn’t like her – she was a lovely girl, always had time for me before.’

‘Backed away? In the car.’ Patel again. Robin imagined him, pen poised earnestly over his notebook.

‘No, walking. She was moving strangely – sort of sideways. Head down. I wondered for a moment if she’d done herself an injury, twisted her ankle or something. Afterwards, it made sense.’

‘So how did you end up seeing it?’

‘She had to drive past me to get out – there was a van at the pump behind, blocking her in. I saw it when she went by.’

‘Could it have been the light – a shadow?’

‘No. The place was lit up bright as you like – you know garages. It was a few days old, a lot of grey and purple in it – but it was definitely a black eye, a big one. No question.’

‘Did she know you’d seen?’

‘Yes, we made eye contact through the window. Just for a second, then she gave me a big, jolly wave, All fine, nothing to see here, and off she went.’

‘What was your first thought when you saw it?’

‘That it must have bloody hurt. Then I wondered how it happened, the accident.’

‘Your immediate thought was she’d had an accident?’

‘Yes.’

‘You didn’t think of Mr Legge?’

‘No. I’d never had reason to think he’d raise a hand. Never. I’ve known him since he was a kid, sixteen or seventeen, and I never saw violence in him, even anger. He’s a gentle man. When Corinna was down in London with Robin, he used to go down most weekends. He loved Lennie even when she was tiny – a lot of men that age wouldn’t have known what to do with themselves.’

‘Mr Lyons – Dennis. Obviously you knew about this yesterday – we spoke to Robin yesterday. Why are we only hearing about it now?’

‘I didn’t know whether I should say anything. I didn’t want to pass on something that might look incriminating for Josh.’

‘You wanted to protect Mr Legge,’ said Patel.

‘You’re aware it might count as withholding evidence?’ Thomas.

‘Not protect. Just … not give people reason to think badly of him. Worse.’

‘By “people” you mean the police?’ Thomas again.

He hesitated. ‘Yes. I suppose so. But others, too, if it got out.’

‘Did Robin ask you to do that? Keep the information to yourself?’

‘What? No. Absolutely not. She was the one who said we had to ring you.’