Looking relieved, Erica pulled up a seat, being sure to secure her dressing gown once more. Her shoulder length, dark blonde hair could do with a brush, Palmer thought.

‘I’m a nurse,’ she explained. ‘I’ve worked at the clinic for a while.’

Elly sat down opposite Erica and nodded encouragingly.

‘About four or five weeks ago, maybe even six, I saw Mrs Jones at the clinic. She was extremely embarrassed when she recognised me. I approached her and said that I was not allowed to discuss my work outside of the clinic walls.’ Erica’s face flushed with guilt. ‘I’d met her at Marion Bolton’s birthday party – Marion is my boyfriend’s mother.’ Erica picked up the Jack Russell and placed the small dog on her knee.

Both officers remained quiet; neither of them were going to let on that it was Marion who had given them Erica’s name.

‘Anyway, like a lot of women who come into the clinic, she was pretty distressed, but she seemed more concerned by the fact that I’d seen her than what she was there for.’

‘Did she discuss the pregnancy with you at all?’ Elly asked gently, trying to ignore the pungent scent of red wine and Chinese takeaway that hung in the air.

‘I’m really not sure I can say.’

‘Miss Clutterbuck, this is a murder investigation. It is vital that we get a picture of the mental state of the victim during the weeks leading up to her death.’ Palmer was not prepared to be so gentle.

‘And I’ve not even had a cup of tea yet.’ Erica rolled her eyes.

‘Did she mention who the father was?’ Palmer asked.

‘She said she had been raped. It was strange, because I didn’t ask. We are told not to pry. She just came out and said it.’

‘Did she say who by?’

‘No. I didn’t push her. That’s not my job. I, of course, encouraged her to go to the police but she said she wouldn’t. She said she knew her attacker and that she wanted to leave the past in the past. I didn’t really understand what she meant.’

‘Can you tell us how far along with the pregnancy Mrs Jones was?’

‘Yes. She was approximately eight weeks.’

‘Is there anything else you think may be relevant?’ Palmer put his hands in his pockets and fumbled with the car keys.

‘Not really. She didn’t seem concerned by the procedure though, just more concerned that someone she knew was aware she was having it.’

‘Thank you very much, Miss Clutterbuck, you’ve been very helpful. If we have any further questions, we’ll be in touch.’ Elly got up from the kitchen chair.

‘No problem.’ Erica stifled a yawn behind her hand and scooped the dog up under her arm. It proceeded to try and lick her chin.