Tom had the remaining third of a pint of Guinness on the table in front of him. He agreed to Jude’s suggestion of ‘another of the same?’ Carole opted for a sparkling mineral water ‘because of the driving’.

She thought the conversation wouldn’t start until Jude returned with the drinks, but Tom Kendrick ploughed straight in. ‘You were in Shefford’s when Bill Shefford was killed?’

‘Yes.’

‘Did you actually see what happened?’

‘No. I was in the reception area. He was in the workshop.’

‘Hm. You know it was my car he was working on?’

‘I didn’t realize at the time, but I know now.’

‘Which some people in Fethering seem to think makes it likely that I set up the booby-trap deliberately to kill him.’

‘I’m not one of those people.’

‘Glad to hear it.’

Carole was glad too that, at that moment, Jude rejoined them. Tom thanked her politely for the drink. His upbringing by Natalie Kendrick had taught him the basics of civilized behaviour.

He then looked shrewdly at each of them in turn. ‘OK, the reason we’re meeting is because it’s possible you two might be able to stop the gossip going around Fethering about me.’

‘The best way we can do that,’ said Jude, ‘is by finding out what actually did cause Bill Shefford’s death; whether it was just an accident or whether foul play was involved.’ She met Tom’s gaze. He looked away. ‘Can I ask why you’re so concerned about Fethering gossip?’

‘Why shouldn’t I be?’

‘It’s just, on very brief acquaintance, you don’t come across to me as the kind of person who cares much what other people think of him.’

He grinned with self-recognition. ‘You may be right. But, if the police were to get involved in investigating what happened … well, I wouldn’t be so keen on that.’

Jude didn’t ask why. She got the feeling drugs might be in the background, some possible previous charges against him, but that was his business.

His words had attracted Carole’s interest, though. ‘Have the police been involved?’ she asked. ‘Have any of them been in touch with you?’

Tom shook his head. ‘Though if Fethering gossip continues at its current rate, that situation might change. And since it was my car what dunit … well, I think I have reason to be a tad anxious.’

‘Maybe,’ said Jude.

‘Look,’ said Carole baldly, ‘there is something that’s come up which I think we can’t avoid mentioning.’

‘Oh? And what’s that?’

‘We know that you worked at Shefford’s for a while.’

‘I’m not denying it. Another of Mrs Kendrick’s attempts to make me a “useful member of society”. Another failure, needless to say.’

‘And we did hear that you had a serious falling-out with Bill Shefford.’

That caught him on the raw. ‘Who did you hear that from?’