When his mobile rang, number withheld, he expected to have a short, one-sided conversation with a PPI salesperson; instead he found himself talking to DCI Louisa Hearst from Gloucester. It seemed that the complaints that Gifford had predicted would hit the DCI’s desk had finally started coming through, and when George Barrowman’s complaint arrived, Hearst had no option but to pick up the phone. Ridley had never met Louisa Hearst, but her reputation for being a man-eating bitch preceded her.

‘Your man is causing problems,’ she told him firmly. ‘We’re a microcosm here, Simon; everyone knows everyone else’s business, so diplomacy’s the key. And your man is not diplomatic.’

Ridley knew that Hearst was referring to Jack as ‘your man’ so that he would feel the weight of responsibility for Jack’s actions, but he didn’t.

‘One of our most prominent residents, George Barrowman,’ she continued, ‘has made an official complaint about your DS Warr, and I have to be seen to be doing something about that. Barrowman is neighbours with ex-prime minister Cameron, so on the one hand he has an inflated perception of his own importance, and on the other hand he may have a point. He says that your man interviewed his disabled son without his permission. Now, I happen to know for a fact that the mother was present, but to a man like Barrowman, that’s like saying “the cat was present”. He’s demanding that you replace your DS with a more experienced officer . . . and that request didn’t land on my desk, by the way, it landed on my boss’s desk. So . . . what do you suggest I do?’

‘What would you like to do, Louisa?’ Ridley had all the time in the world right now, so he was up for an argument if that’s the way the conversation was destined to go.

‘I’d very much like to get Seb from his stable and ride him over to Bledington to meet an unhappily married man I know, but I’m doubtful that’ll happen this side of the weekend. So, for now, I’d like to have your assurance that DS Warr knows what he’s doing.’

‘I trust him with my life,’ Ridley replied evenly.

‘But are you sure you want to trust him with your reputation, Simon?’ she asked pointedly.

‘Absolutely. Jack will get results for you. But I’m afraid he won’t suffer any fools along the way. Is Barrowman a fool?’

‘When threatened. Which I think is all that’s happened here, really. I don’t know the reputation of Jack Warr, but I do know the reputation of Simon Ridley from a mutual friend. So, I’m inclined to trust you.’

‘Sounds like I owe Joe Gifford a pint, in that case. How’s he doing?’

‘The word perfunctory springs to mind.’