‘Not sure she did. As I said, she didn’t mention it much.’

‘And what about your relationship with Toni Jones? Were the two of you close?’

‘She was a good friend.’ Shirley smiled fondly. ‘I liked her. She was feisty.’

‘Can you tell us anything about the night of the book club?’

‘Probably nothing more than you’ve already heard. Women gossip, Chief Inspector, in case you didn’t know.’ Her eyes twinkled with amusement and Barrett could sense she was thawing.

‘I’d like to hear it from you, if it’s all the same.’

‘Well, there was a bit of a barney. Some things were said. I can’t remember exactly what, but it all got a bit awkward. Kim left, Toni left. In the end, most of us left without discussing the book we’d been reading. I think it’s the weather, you know. Everyone feels sensitive in this heat.’ Shirley blew her fringe out of the way as if to emphasise the point.

‘How long have you known Toni Jones?’ Palmer cocked his head to one side slightly, trying to read the woman opposite him.

‘A while now. Not as long as Janet. We met through an online book club. Maybe, five years ago. Maybe longer. We chatted online and got to know one another. She was funny online. Said what she thought, didn’t hold back. Bit of a diva, if you know what I mean?’ Barrett nodded. ‘Well, when we realised we lived in the same place, we agreed to meet up. Used to have coffee sometimes, that sort of thing.’

Palmer had heard all of this before and was growing increasingly frustrated by the lack of progress.

‘When she suggested that we all get together for a physical book club, I thought it was a great idea. So many people hide behind their keyboards, don’t they? All those bloody internet warriors.’ She sighed. ‘Anyway, so that was how it came about.’

‘Can you think of any reason why anyone would want to hurt Mrs Jones?’

‘You mean kill her?’ Shirley asked steadily. ‘No. No idea.’

‘And Janet Cox?’ Palmer asked.

‘Janet was a good person.’ Shirley looked sad. ‘I can’t imagine anyone wanting to hurt her.’

‘Do you know if Mrs Jones had any secrets?’ Barrett asked slowly.

‘What kind of secrets?’

‘Any kind. We understand that her first marriage ended because of an affair she had. Can you shed any light on this?’

‘I didn’t know her then.’ Shirley shrugged. ‘I met her just when she was getting together with Gerald.’

Barrett and Palmer shared a look.

‘Did you know she’d had an affair?’

‘Not at the time. It was only after she died I heard a rumour. But I don’t see what that’s got to do with anything.’

‘We are just trying to build a picture of the victim, and your relationship with her.’

‘Well, I’m telling you, she was my friend.’