‘Did she often run in Potton Park?’

He shook his head. ‘The only reason she was there was because she was going shopping, doing errands, I don’t know what. No, wait. Jordan said he’d broken his phone.’

‘Your son, Jordan?’

Thomas nodded. ‘Yes, she was going to the Apple Store.’

‘Did you know that she was intending to run afterwards?’

‘She did mention it, yes, but I had no idea where.’

‘Did she know anybody in the area? Could she have arranged a meeting?’

‘Potton Park? No. Her friends – our friends – all live outside town.’

‘So she hadn’t made arrangements to meet anyone in the park?’

‘No, that’s ridiculous, why would she do that?’ He looked at the woman and realised that she was digging to see if Ella had been having an affair. He also realised that he had no idea if she had been. He couldn’t prove or disprove the theory. DI Kelly Porter must have seen his confusion. She tried a different approach.

The direct one.

‘Was she having an affair?’

‘No.’

‘To your knowledge?’

‘To my knowledge. She was happy…’ His voice wasn’t convincing. She could easily have been having an affair. He searched his mind for evidence either way. They made love perhaps twice a month, sometimes more. It wasn’t enough for him, but Ella’s interest had waned. Had it waned because she was satisfied elsewhere? The DI read him well.

‘Did she display any illicit behaviour?’

‘How would I know? No, I don’t think so. I never suspected that she was sneaking about, or making quiet phone calls, or hiding her phone: that’s the sort of thing you mean?’

‘Exactly.’

‘No, then.’

‘Thank you. To your knowledge, are you aware of anyone who might have wanted to hurt your wife?’

Past tense again. It stung.

‘No.’

‘Was she in debt, or in any kind of trouble financially?’

‘No. Definitely not. I run the house finances. We’re good.’

‘I’m sorry, Mr Watson, but we’ll need access to your financial records and her phone data, as well as any PCs she used in the house.’

‘Of course. Do everything you need to do. You’re going through the house tomorrow? I’m taking my mother and the children to a hotel nearby.’

‘Which hotel?’

‘The Peaks Bay.’

The DI scribbled a note. ‘Did Ella display any unusual behaviour in the days and weeks leading up to her death?’

‘Not that I can think of. I’ve tried to recall, but I can’t think of anything.’

‘Would you be willing to give a press statement?’

‘An appeal?’

She nodded. He thought about it. It was perhaps one of the few things he could actually do to contribute to the investigation.

‘Of course.’

‘Would you consider allowing your children to join you?’