Fifteen minutes later the bus stopped outside Cambridge North railway station. From there, it was a twenty-minute walk to the edge of Stourbridge Common, where the women had agreed to meet at the Water Street entrance.

Barbara felt stiffness in her knees as she climbed down off the bus, and made a mental note to buy some cod liver oil tablets on her way home.

As she approached the entrance to the common, she saw two policemen standing on either side of the pathway. Realising she wouldn’t be permitted entry, she waited on the other side of the road for Marion to appear. Thankfully, trees lined the busy road and Barbara found a nice spot in the shade where she could sit and wait for her friend.

It wasn’t long before she recognised Marion’s stumping frame coming along the pavement; she walked with determination and surprising speed, Barbara thought.

‘Looks like we can’t go in,’ Barbara said as she got up to greet Marion.

‘Well it doesn’t stop me going and chatting to those policemen,’ Marion said, checking for cars as she marched across the road.

‘Good afternoon.’ The shorter of the two policemen nodded.

‘Hello.’ Marion suddenly appeared lost for words.

‘Can I help you?’ he encouraged.

‘Well err, I saw on the news …’

The policeman rolled his eyes and looked at Barbara, who stood in silence.

‘This is a new investigation and I am not at liberty to say anything about an ongoing case.’ The officer was clearly enjoying his small moment of power.

‘But my friend is missing.’ Marion sounded choked and Barbara put her arm around her shoulder.

‘Has this been reported?’ The other officer stepped forward, suddenly taking an interest.

‘I think so,’ Marion continued, ‘her husband is worried sick. She’s got little ’uns.’

‘The best thing you can do is go home, ladies.’ The tall policeman sounded gentle and less harsh than his short, balding counterpart.

‘I know it’s her. I just know it.’ Marion began to sob.

‘Come on, love.’ Barbara tried to lead her away, but she wouldn’t budge.

‘I have to know. You understand,’ she pleaded, searching the kind policeman’s face.

‘As of yet, the body has not been identified and if, or when it is, the next of kin will be informed.’ He shrugged, unnerved by the sobbing pensioner standing in front of him.

Marion nodded and let her head drop to her chest.

‘Let’s go and get you a cup of tea.’ Barbara smiled sadly at the officers as she led Marion away down the road. ‘I’ll even treat you to a nice bun.’

Once seated in the café on Chesterton Road High Street, the ladies silently sipped their tea. The place was noisy with teenagers who had just come out of school and she wished they had chosen somewhere else.

‘Geoff and I used to come here for breakfast on a Saturday.’ Barbara finally broke the silence.