‘Before, I think. Mum insists on coming up to Peterborough and taking me out for lunch sometimes. We went to my local and had some food. They do good pies.’

The mention of food made Palmer feel peckish. He’d not yet had any lunch.

‘What did you talk about?’

‘Nothing much. This and that. I didn’t do much talking and neither did Dad. Mum didn’t have any problems filling the silence though. I ate my lunch and then got the hell out of there. Dad and I only agreed to do it for Mum’s sake.’

‘I see,’ Barrett said as Palmer’s stomach rumbled loudly around the interview room. ‘You are free to leave now, Mr Wade, but I suggest you take a train home to Peterborough. I don’t think drink driving when you are on bail is a wise move.’ Barrett got up and headed for the door. ‘I presume you had to hand your passport over as part of your bail conditions?’

‘That’s right.’ Andrew suddenly looked fearful. He knew that if Barrett decided to give him a breath test he would fail and that would land him in prison.

‘Good.’ Barrett nodded with satisfaction as Andrew got out of his chair. He couldn’t meet the inspector’s eyes and that pleased Barrett no end.

‘Don’t go far, Mr Wade. We will be in touch.’

Chapter 8

3.27pm Saturday 14th December

Tilly had not slept well. The nightmares were almost alive, and she’d woken twice screaming. It was more than shock. She had absorbed the terrifying image of Dennis Wade hanging by his neck and it had seeded itself in her brain. And now that seed was growing, its roots taking hold of her consciousness and wrapping themselves around her skull.

She felt trapped in the flat, so she wrapped up warm, put her headphones in her ears and set off for a walk along the Backs. She needed to clear her head, and Tilly hoped that the cold wind would blow some of the cobwebs away.

Before she realised how far she had walked, Tilly found herself standing on the green looking at King’s College Chapel, which stood proud with its two spires in the snow. It’s like a Christmas card image, she thought, and for a moment, the horror trapped inside her head melted away.

Around her, tourists walked enjoying the architecture and the winter setting while the lyrics from a Nirvana song echoed in her ears. Between the buildings and the path lay the river, partially iced over, and above the powder blue sky framed the scene perfectly.