‘Oh, sometimes the loos in the Fort pub.’ Classy, Barrett thought to himself. ‘Sometimes back at her place. But she liked doing it in public places most.’ Grant’s eyes sparkled with the memory, turning Singh and Barrett’s stomachs.

‘Who ended the relationship?’ Barrett used the term loosely.

‘Me.’ Grant stiffened, and adjusted his position in the chair. ‘She was gettin’ clingy, so I called it off.’

‘When?’

‘Like I said, it went on for a few months, that was it. I didn’t count.’ Neither officer believed that for a moment.

‘How did she take it?’ Singh couldn’t wait for the interview to be over, but was taking pleasure in being involved in the interrogation.

‘She was upset, of course.’ Singh chewed his lip in order to prevent a smile escaping. ‘But she said her husband was suspicious and so it was probably for the best.’

‘After the affair ended, did you see much of each other?’

‘Nah, not at all.’

‘So, it must have been a shock when you realised she was attending the same book club as your wife?’

‘You can say that again!’ Grant spat out the words.

‘And when did this come to light?’ Barrett knew what Marion Bolton had told him and was eager to find out if Grant’s claim matched.

‘One of the old girls in the book club was havin’ a birthday party. I didn’t want to go, but Shirl, my wife, said there’d be free booze so I went along. She was there. I couldn’t believe my eyes. No matter how much free booze was on offer, that put an end to my fun when I realised Toni and Shirl were mates, well, you can imagine.’ Grant looked genuinely concerned.

‘Did you have any contact with Toni after that chance meeting?’

‘Nope. I knew she didn’t want it getting out – and neither did I. Besides, I knew she had a new husband so it was all in the past, where it belonged.’

‘And you’ve never seen or spoken to Toni Jones since attending Mrs Bolton’s birthday party?’

‘No.’ Grant’s grey eyes were steady as he looked directly at Barrett, who sat back in his chair and cocked his head slightly to the side. Something was bothering him about what he’d heard, but he knew he needed to process the interview in his mind before he could settle on what that was.

‘So, there is no way you fathered the child that Mrs Jones aborted a few weeks before her murder?’

‘Not me, mate.’ His gaze was steady and his eyes were cold.

‘You’re certain your wife had no knowledge of the affair?’ Barrett asked.