‘I think it would be best if we discuss this indoors,’ Barrett said, approaching. ‘Is your wife at home?’

‘She is.’ He tucked his hands into the pockets of his grey trousers. ‘She’s just got back from church.’

Something to repent, perhaps? Palmer wondered.

‘Please take your shoes off,’ Roger instructed – himself wearing a comfortable pair of slippers.

Barrett always found it unnerving, having to interview strangers while wearing his socks with no shoes. He didn’t like it one bit, but he grudgingly agreed and began to untie the laces on his black leather shoes. Palmer slipped out of his brogues, revealing odd socks. Barrett wouldn’t be caught dead in odd socks and he looked at Palmer’s feet with disapproval.

‘Pauline,’ Roger bellowed, ‘the police are here and want to talk to us.’

Pauline appeared in the kitchen doorway holding a tea towel and a mug covered in suds. She too was wearing a pair of less than fetching slippers. His and hers, Barrett noted.

‘Oh.’ The colour drained from her podgy face. ‘I’ll come through in a moment.’

‘Gentlemen.’ Roger led them through into the living room, which was adorned with delicate china figures of Victorian women in elaborate robes. Barrett could never imagine living with such things and thanked his lucky stars he was a single man.

Pauline came into the room and stood awkwardly next to her husband. ‘This is about Toni Jones, I presume.’ Her husband looked tiny next to the tall woman.

‘Yes, it is. I’d like to know when you last saw Mrs Jones.’ Barrett, refusing to sit on the sofa, stood, eyeballing Pauline.

‘Well, as I’m sure you probably know, I saw her at book club at Marion Bolton’s house, the day she died.’

‘Yes, and what time did you leave Mrs Bolton’s home?’

‘Oh.’ Pauline looked at Roger. ‘I think I was home in time for tea at about seven. That’s right, isn’t it?’

‘Yes, I’d say so,’ Roger said evenly. ‘We got takeaway fish and chips.’

‘Where did you get the fish and chips from?’

‘I went to Churchill’s fish and chips. We have fish every Friday,’ Roger added, pushing home the idea that they were a traditional couple. ‘I like cod, but Pauline always has haddock.’

‘What time did you collect the order?’ Palmer asked.

‘Maybe, half past seven.’

‘And you went to pick up the takeaway together?’

‘No, I went alone,’ Roger admitted.

‘So where were you, Mrs Robinson?’ Barrett tried to push away the lyrics of the song that entered his mind.

‘I was on my way back.’

‘A moment ago, you said you were at home.’

‘Well, I was home in time for tea, yes.’ She began to stumble over her words.

‘What time did you return with the food?’ Barrett turned his attention to Roger.