‘It’s not ideal. There are plenty of senior people who don’t like the way we tell you things. Any more rank amateurs will really annoy them.’

‘I don’t think he’s going to cause any trouble.’

‘You mean he’s going to get into a cosy huddle with you one evening and go through all the guesses and hunches and fantasy scenarios that the two of you can come up with?’

‘Probably.’

‘That’s another thing, then,’ said Barkley obscurely.

‘Pardon?’

‘You being a less-than-perfect wife to your really nice husband.’

‘Exactly. That’s what I said. I’m a horrible person.’

‘Shut up. That’s not the point.’

‘Isn’t it?’

‘Look – I’m not a couple counsellor. But even I know nobody’s perfect, and hardly anybody’s really horrible. Your girl’s opted not to tell you what’s happening with her, for whatever reason. So you weren’t to know until your sister told you. And then you agreed that it would be good if she could come down here, to help while we’re overstretched. If that hasn’t worked out, it’s not your fault. But now you’ve got a new situation. That’s why I was looking for you, to tell you about it. Her secret’s out now, and you know she’s got a problem. I’m not saying 262it’ll be easy, but if you care about her, I think you need to do something. Okay?’

‘She’s coming to see us for the Bank Holiday weekend. That’s not far off now. I’ll make sure I take her out, just us two, and see if she’ll talk. I don’t see how I can do more than that. I can’t leave Drew any longer, once I’m finished here. Stephanie says there’s something secret going on at home, and I have absolutely no idea what it can be.’

‘And meanwhile, you try to ignore all this family crap by seeing the most beautiful man in England.’

‘Right. And that makes me a horrible person.’

‘No it doesn’t. It makes you the envy of every woman who sees you – and possibly a bit of a fool. But we all give in to temptation from time to time.’

‘Right,’ said Thea again, feeling very slightly better. ‘So, can we just crack on with this murder case, so I can get back to being a halfway decent wife and mother?’

‘Feel free,’ invited Caz Barkley. ‘All contributions gratefully received.’

‘At least they let me get involved,’ said Thea.

‘No they don’t.’ Barkley was forceful. ‘They just haven’t worked out how to stop you.’

Thea laughed, but the other woman was clearly not amused. Thea defended herself. ‘I’ve been quite useful at times.’

‘Against everyone’s better judgement, believe me. But with everything stretched as it is, you’ve got to be a bit of an asset. We’re all having to be in three places at once – this month especially, with so many people on leave.’263

Thea merely smiled forbearingly. She’d heard much the same before. Even Jessica had complained about depleted numbers.

‘Anyway,’ Barkley went on. ‘Just don’t get into trouble. Nothing that’s going to require a team of police rescuers, right?’