‘Who is the SIO, then?’ she asked the officer as they got out of the car.

The woman sighed. ‘There isn’t one, is there, until we know if there’s been a crime. Everything hinges on that. You brought a strange woman back here – she might have been seriously ill all along, for all you know. That sore shoulder you talked about – that might have been a symptom of something really bad – a blockage or something. It’s not fair to accuse the doctor of incompetence. If he’s not sure, then he has to say so. Actually,’ she went on with heavy emphasis, ‘all he has to do is declare life extinct. It’s not his job to say what caused the death.’

‘Oh,’ said Thea. ‘I don’t think I knew that.’

‘Look – you’re going to be needed. Someone will phone you later today or tomorrow with an update, and probably a summons to be properly and comprehensively questioned − okay? You’ll be all right now, won’t you? Make sure all the doors and windows are securely locked before you go to bed. You’ve got a good friend in DS Gladwin. Pity she’s so busy, but she won’t forget about you. Just … sit out in the garden or something. Have an early night.’

‘Right. Thanks. You’ve been great,’ said Thea 86sincerely. ‘And yes, I’ll be fine. The first thing I’m going to do is make myself some lunch.’

Which is what she did, because she suddenly remembered that she hadn’t eaten anything all day.

All the police people had gone, and the house was eerily quiet. Grace had been taken away and the locals had drifted back to their own concerns. Nobody had spoken directly to Thea, but there had been several very curious glances. ‘But this is Mrs Ibbotson’s house,’ one woman had said loudly. ‘Who’s that woman, then?’ But nobody had provided an answer. The house itself, with the piles of building materials and overflowing skip, was apparently viewed by the villagers with a degree of distaste.

Would she be all right, she asked herself. A lot of people wouldn’t, given the circumstances. If Grace had been murdered by a stealthy intruder who came and went in the short time Thea was strolling around the village, that had the most alarming implications. Somebody watching for an opportunity, perhaps waiting all night just a few yards away. A figure from a fairy tale, a bogeyman with evil intent.

Such thoughts were best banished quickly. A good way to do that might be to phone her husband, and tell the story as lightly and humorously as possible. He might express mild concern, but he wouldn’t overdo it. He’d offer to come and see her, perhaps, and accuse Gladwin of recklessness in landing Thea in such a situation.

She called him on his mobile, and was surprised when a little voice breathed ‘Hello?’ into it. ‘Is that Thea?’87

‘Stephanie? Why’ve you got Dad’s phone?’

‘It was on the bed.’