‘Lot to be said for country lore.’ The second policeman, who was courting a secretary in the Council Offices, slipped the car into gear. ‘Seems stupid though to me.’

‘What does?’

‘We keep the bird and you eat it but the dog, which is much more of a mess, we return.’

‘You don’t licence a goose and you can’t eat dog.’

‘They do in China.’

‘I know that. Let’s get it over with. I hate this kind of job. Who is this Mrs Pollyput anyway?’

‘They’ve lived here a long time. He died a few years back. She doesn’t mix much. Got grown children. They never come to see her. He ran some sort of travel business from home. Never been any trouble there apart from the odd motoring offence. She doesn’t belong to the W.I. or go to church. She’s not above the occasional coarse expression. Talks to herself and sings too. It’s her time of life, I suppose.’

‘My Mum’s having hot flushes.’

‘There you are then.’

‘And here we are. You carry the dog and I’ll do the talking.’

‘That isn’t fair.’

‘Isn’t it? Afraid of messing your uniform? It’s in a sack isn’t it? Hold it well away from you so it won’t drip. You carry the dog, you’re eating the goose.’

‘We could share it.’

‘Oh belt up. I don’t fancy it.’

Matilda heard a car door slam and, shortly after, a knock on the door. She got out of bed and looked from her window.

‘You again? I’m asleep, can’t you bugger off?’ Her voice rose high.

‘Sorry, Mrs Pollyput, but –’

‘Wait a minute, I’ll come down.’ She withdrew her head.

‘You’re right, she is coarse.’

‘Told you so.’ They stood patiently.

Matilda’s knees trembled as she pulled on Anabel’s dressing-gown, ran a comb through her hair. She looked at the clock.

‘Christ, it’s late. What an oversleeping.’

She took a deep breath, put the comb down, pulled the sash of the dessing-gown tight and left the room. Before coming down she looked into Hugh’s room, her finger on her lips. It was empty, the bed made.

‘Taken Folly out. Please God keep him away while they are here.’ She ran downstairs and opened the door.

‘What is it?’

‘Mrs Pollyput, it’s –’

‘What is it?’

‘Is this your dog, Mrs Pollyput? Found her on the main road. Can’t have known what hit her.’

Matilda said nothing.

‘Must have been following somebody, she was nearly in the town.’

‘Following somebody?’

‘That’s what the sergeant thinks.’

‘Who?’

‘Who what, Mrs Pollyput?’

‘My name is Mrs Poliport.’

‘Yes, Mrs Poliport.’

‘Was she seen following somebody? Who would she follow?’

‘It was just his idea. We only found her.’

‘When?’

‘Coming off duty we –’

‘You were coming on duty when you found my gander.’

‘Yes Mrs Pollyput, Poliport.’