‘Well, I know this isn’t exactly your area, but do you have the number of a good solicitor?’

‘Roger, I’m an accountant.’ Alfred folded the newspaper he’d been reading and threw it aside.

‘But you must know someone? Come on, Alf, I could really do with your help. She’s in trouble.’

As it so happened, Alfred did have the number of a trusted solicitor, but before handing over the information he wanted to know a bit more.

‘Why have they arrested her? Why do they think she’s involved?’

‘I don’t really know.’ Roger scratched his head. ‘They were asking her when she last saw Toni, and then what time she came back from book club. When she couldn’t give an exact time, they arrested her, but I think there’s more to it than that. There’s a bit of history with us and Toni.’

‘Oh?’ Alfred was intrigued.

‘Well, we had a bit of a falling out recently.’

‘What about?’

‘Money. Nothing very serious.’ Roger was careful not to give away too much. He knew Marion would find out, if he told Alfred, and if those women were good at anything it was gossiping.

‘I do have a pal who might be able to help.’ Alfred realised that Roger was not about to implicate his wife in someone’s murder, and thought it best not to press the matter. ‘He’s reliable and knows his stuff, but he’s not cheap.’

Great, thought Roger to himself, why not bleed me of more money I don’t have?

‘That’s no problem, Alf. We need counsel.’

‘It is Sunday though,’ Alfred said thoughtfully, wondering if it would be unfair to pass on his friend’s mobile number to Roger. While he took a moment to decide what to do, the smell of roast beef came floating in from the kitchen. Marion was busy cooking and he could hear the gentle hum of classical music coming from the radio.

‘I can’t make any promises, Rog, but let me give him a call and see what I can do. I’ll call you back as soon as I can.’

‘Thank you.’ Roger felt a lump forming in his throat. ‘I’m going down to the station. The thought of her being there on her own …’

‘Fine, but take your mobile so that I can get hold of you when I’ve spoken to my friend.’

‘Yes. Good thinking.’ Roger started to kick off his slippers. ‘I appreciate your help, Alf.’

‘Be in touch,’ Alfred said, hanging up the phone and following the scent into the kitchen.

‘You won’t believe this,’ Alfred went over to the fridge and started to pour himself a glass of orange juice, ‘but Pauline has just been arrested for Toni’s murder.’

Marion dropped the wooden spoon she was stirring with and spun round to interrogate her husband.