‘Bleedin’ ’ell Maddy! You ain’t never been in a cop shop before, ’ave you? It’s not a bloody cinema!’ Brenda shook her head at such innocence. ‘Still, ’e’s a bit of all right, that Drew. Shame ’e’s married.’

‘Isn’t it?’ Maddy knew she was smiling like an idiot but could do nothing about it. ‘Anyway, his wife doesn’t live with him all the time.’

‘More fool ’er.’ Brenda nodded. ‘I wouldn’t let a man like that out of my sight.’

Nor would I, Maddy thought to herself.

Brenda stretched noisily. ‘Jackie said they’ve got separate bedrooms at Peapods. Is that right?’

‘You know we’re not supposed to discuss anything we see or hear at the customers’ homes. That’s a really important part of Shadows, being discreet, and –’

‘Cobblers!’ Brenda rocked with laughter. ‘You’re as nosy as the rest of us, Maddy. ‘Ow the ’ell would we know what was going on in Milton St John if we didn’t discuss things, eh? It’s all in the public interest. So, is that right about Drew’s bedrooms?’

Fortunately Maddy was spared having to voice her thoughts on the Fitzgeralds’ sleeping arrangements by Drew’s return. Forcing his way through towards the bench, his face wreathed in smiles, he held a paper package above his head.

‘Oh!’ Maddy sniffed in rapture. ‘Fish and chips!’

Brenda settled back in her seat. ‘Bloody ’ell! That’s better’n a diamond ring under the circumstances. I wish someone cared that much about me.’

Maddy scrabbled at the paper, aware that every head in the police station had turned in envy as the delicious smell of hot, spicy vinegar wafted upwards in a mouth-watering cloud.

‘You’re brilliant,’ she laughed in unashamed delight at Drew. ‘Where on earth did you conjure these from?’

‘I noticed the shop when we parked. I was hungry, too.’ He glanced at the bare white washed walls. ‘I can’t see any notices banning eating, so I presume we won’t be arrested.’

‘Mobbed, probably.’ Maddy bit into a succulent chip. ‘Drew, you are incredible.’

‘I know,’ he mumbled through a mouthful of fish. ‘I’ve been telling you that for ages. I hoped you wouldn’t have any objections to eating chips from the paper. I’ve always thought it was the best way.’

Maddy was licking her fingers just as Peter and Jeff Henley emerged from the interview room. Peter looked at her in horror. He would never dream of eating chips in public. He pushed his way towards her.