‘None of those things went through my mind,’ said Mullen. ‘I assumed they were upstairs. I had this picture in my head –’

‘Yes, I see. So you’re quite sure you didn’t go into the sitting room, or touch the door maybe?’

‘I’m sure. Look, I can’t understand why you’re asking me these questions.’

‘It’s for purposes of elimination, Mr Mullen. It will help us to establish the cause of the fire.’

‘What? Are you saying it was started deliberately?’

‘It’s one of the possibilities we have to leave open. We can’t rule anything out until it’s been confirmed one way or another. That’s why it’s important to establish your movements, Mr Mullen. If the fire investigators find evidence of someone entering that room during the night of the fire, we’ll know it wasn’t you, won’t we?’

Fry smiled at him, but he didn’t look reassured. She often found that reaction. Perhaps she ought to work on the smile.

‘Yes, that’s right. But –’

‘Don’t worry about it now. You have a lot of things to think about. Let us know if we can be of any assistance. They’ve offered you counselling . . . ?’

‘Yes, all of that stuff,’ said Mullen impatiently.

‘And you do have some family in the area to support you?’

‘There’s Lindsay’s parents. My dad is in Ireland. I don’t know when he’ll be coming over. He hasn’t been well himself, so he might not make it.’

‘Is there no one else locally?’

Mullen shook his head. ‘There’s only John.’

‘John?’

‘John Lowther. My brother-in-law. But Henry and Moira say he’s devastated about Lindsay.’

Fry stood up. ‘Well, take care, sir. We’ll keep you informed.’

Mullen looked up at her, anxious now that she was leaving. ‘I tested that smoke alarm regularly, you know. It was working all right.’

‘Yes, well don’t worry about that now.’

Mullen sank back on to his pillow, as if he’d put a lot of effort into that last statement and was now exhausted. Fry began to move quietly away, but his voice stopped her.

‘We promised Luanne we’d take her to see the illuminations in Matlock Bath,’ he said, his voice whispering with hoarseness. ‘You know, with the parade of boats on the river, and the fireworks? We were going to take all the kids there, for a treat. The illuminations started a couple of weeks ago, but we were going to wait until half-term. The boys always liked the boats, but it would have been Luanne’s first time. We won’t be taking them now, will we?’

Fry hesitated in the doorway.

‘No, sir. I’m sorry.’