‘Because she didn’t go home after book club. Pete was awful worried. Then, when I heard she was home safe and sound, I didn’t give much more thought to it. The murder I mean. Never did I think it could be anyone I knew.’

‘Sends shivers up my spine.’ Maggie wriggled on the spot to demonstrate her point and Amy had to disguise a smile. Maggie was known for being slightly over the top from time to time. ‘Well, I’ll tell you something for nothing: it’s made me want to keep my kids in. Terry agrees with me. We don’t want them wandering around while this stuff is going on. I told Jamie and Leigh, they aren’t to be out when it’s dark. I know they’re teenagers and everything, but I put my foot down.’ Amy and the others could well imagine how that had gone.

Terry, Maggie’s husband, was a nice, quiet man who adored his wife. They’d been together for twenty years and had a solid marriage. He worked as a carpenter and she ran her own cake business from home. They lived in a large white semi-detached house, just off Arbury Road. ‘I mean, you wouldn’t let your kids walk around when there is some deranged killer on the loose, would you?’ She spoke to Marion, who was struggling to get a word in edgeways. ‘It’s not right. I’ve been keeping my eye on the news and listening to the radio, but they aren’t giving out many details. I think the local people have a right to know what’s gone on.’

‘The police will have their reasons,’ Amy interrupted.

‘I know,’ Maggie carried on, waving a hand, the amethyst and diamond engagement ring on her finger catching the light, ‘but they’ve told us nothing. Except that it was poor old Toni.’

‘It’s early days, I suppose,’ Marion chipped in as the loud doorbell sounded.

‘I’ll get it.’ Maggie sprang into action before Amy could get out of her seat. The three remaining women sat in the living room listening to Maggie greet whoever was at the door.

Seconds later, Shirley and Janet appeared. Janet looked as downtrodden as ever and Shirley smiled warmly.

‘Alright, girls?’ Shirley was wearing a lime green vest and black shorts. She looked like she belonged on the beach in Bognor Regis.

‘Good, thank you.’ Marion was always rather formal when talking to Shirley, for reasons the others didn’t understand. ‘How’s Kayla?’

‘Yeah, she’s good thanks. A handful. Strong-willed, some would say,’ Shirley chuckled, ‘but she’s occupied with her friends this weekend, so all is well.’