‘Better to marry a total cow than just to live with her? Though from what he’s told me, they’re desperate for him to marry a nice Sikh girl. Aren’t families a delight?’

‘Not sure how to take that, Meg. Has Hannah found someone for you yet?’

‘No, despite her best efforts to hook me up with the deranged of Derbyshire.’

‘I’m sure she just wants you to be happy.’

‘I am happy. Why would I need a man to be happy?’

Mum opened her mouth to answer.

‘That was rhetorical,’ I said, and I wished I could talk to her about Daniel, but of course that wasn’t possible.

‘I suppose you are a bit of a workaholic. Not everyone would put up with that.’

‘Oh for God’s sake, Mum. Nobody ever commented on Dad being at work all the time. And male cops are positively applauded for working so hard their kids are people they meet occasionally on holiday. Anyway, I’m not a workaholic – I’m just conscientious and prefer to catch murderers rather than leaving them free to rampage around the countryside slaughtering people.’

‘That’s what workaholics always say. But you still deserve someone nice. You don’t have to compromise.’

Not sure exactly what that meant, I decided to change the subject. ‘Um … did Dad mention he’d come to visit?’

Her head shot up. ‘To visit you? Now?’

I nodded. ‘He’s staying for a couple of days.’

‘Well, well, that is very suspicious.’

‘Why can nobody accept that he wants to see me? It’s so unfair on him.’

‘You need to keep an eye on him, Meg. You really do. Why’s he suddenly visiting now? I don’t want to be hurtful but he’s taken zero interest in your life, and we have no idea what he’s been up to in Scotland. Anything could be going on in his life.’

‘He’s split up with Pauline,’ I said.

Mum pursed her lips. ‘I knew that would end in tears.’

I didn’t mention the fact that Dad had been with Pauline for over fifteen years and that Mum had been predicting the demise of the relationship for all of them.

‘He’s split with his girlfriend,’ I said, ‘and maybe he actually wants to see me.’

‘There’ll be more to it, you mark my words. He’s barely acknowledged your existence for the last fifteen years.’

‘I suppose so. But I think he’s genuinely worried about you. About your … trip.’

‘I doubt that. What did he say?’

‘He’s worried about your safety. Are you definitely going?’

‘I am, love, yes.’

‘To the murder capital of the world?’

‘If it was a civilised country with decent laws, there’d be no need for us now, would there? But I’m sure it’s not as bad as you say. I checked the foreign office website and it’s okay.’

‘Seriously?’