‘Did you go out at all?’ Palmer continued to direct his questions at Shane.

‘Only to pick up something for Gem.’

‘How long were you gone for?’

‘Maybe fifteen minutes. No more. I just went to the shops. Gem keeps getting cravings for baked beans and we’d run out.’ The man buried his face in his hands.

‘I know this is a difficult time for you, but I do have some more questions.’ Palmer spoke more gently. ‘Can you tell me when you and Wendy separated?’

‘About eighteen months ago.’ Shane’s face stayed in his hands. Gemma stroked his back in a soothing motion.

‘Can you tell me why the relationship ended?’

‘Why do you need to know this? I’ve told you I was here. Gemma was with me. What’s my failed marriage got to do with anything?’

‘We need to build a clear picture of the victim.’

‘They couldn’t have kids.’ Gemma spoke, wanting to save her boyfriend the heartache of having to rehash his painful past. ‘They tried for years but it just never happened. It was difficult for both of them.’

‘Who initiated the split?’ Palmer made notes on a small pad, which he’d removed from his coat pocket.

‘It was a mutual decision.’ Shane looked up. ‘We loved each other, but when we gave up on trying to get pregnant… we grew distant. We’d been trying for nearly seven years and when Wendy decided she couldn’t face any more disappointment she just shut down. I tried for a while, but I’ve always wanted to be a dad. She knew that, but she gave up on the idea. She spent more and more time at work and threw herself into her hobbies. I just couldn’t cope with the idea of a future without children. So we broke up and I moved out.’

Palmer watched as the new couple held hands. ‘Can I ask how long the two of you have been together?’

‘We met about six months after I moved to Royston.’

‘I’m five months gone,’ Gemma told Palmer while rubbing her belly and pre-empting his next question.

‘I see.’ Palmer shut his notebook and slipped it back into his pocket.

‘I’m sorry.’ Shane shook his head. ‘But I need to digest this. Can’t we do this later?’

‘We will have more questions for you,’ Palmer admitted, ‘but I have only a few more for now then we’ll leave you in peace. Mr Matlock, can you tell me if Wendy had any enemies? Anyone who you can think of who might wish her harm?’

‘Wendy?’ Shane half laughed. ‘She wasn’t that type. She was a gentle woman. She wouldn’t hurt a fly.’

‘So you were in regular contact with her?’ Palmer’s eyes narrowed, and he watched as Gemma tensed.

‘I wouldn’t say that.’ Shane shifted on the sofa. ‘We remained on friendly terms.’

‘When did you last see her?’