‘I’m coming with you. I couldn’t see your car.’

‘It’s this one,’ said Thea, indicating the borrowed vehicle. ‘It belongs to the police. They’re just letting me use it while I’m here. Drew needs ours at home.’

‘Lead the way, then,’ said Jocelyn.

Back at the Corner House, Thea was informed by the builders that she could move the kettle and microwave back into the kitchen, where one wall was finished. There were functioning power points, a spotless new work surface and running water. ‘Best not use the oven,’ said Dave, with a little frown of embarrassment. ‘But I guess the hob would be okay.’

‘Oh? Why?’

‘Well, if I know Mrs Ibbotson, she’s going to want to christen it herself, if you follow me. Even if it’s only used once, it’s going to be just a bit spoilt – do you see? You can never really get an oven looking new again, can you?’

It was a very delicate point and Thea was impressed at his sensitive handling of it. ‘I get it,’ she assured him. ‘I’ll be fine with the microwave.’191

It was approaching four o’clock when she and Jocelyn settled down in the big living room with mugs of tea. ‘Nice house,’ said the visitor. ‘But I’m not sure I understand what you’re doing here. Have you fallen out with Drew? He sounded pretty weird on the phone this morning.’

‘Did he? In what way?’

‘Well, for a start it was his little girl who answered. How old is she now? Don’t the funeral calls come through on that line?’

‘She’s eleven. She’s been answering it since Saturday, apparently. People keep telling me about it.’ She frowned. ‘I suppose he must be training her up, because he’s got too much else to do. She’s heard us both doing it often enough.’

‘She didn’t want to fetch him until I insisted.’

‘I’ll ask him about it when – if – I phone this evening. He did say I shouldn’t call again until Thursday, actually.’ She paused. ‘And you won’t tell him about Clovis, will you?’

Jocelyn’s eyes sparkled. ‘Why not? I thought they were best chums.’

‘They’re not. And even if they were, that wouldn’t make much difference. Drew’s only human: he’s bound to worry, however much I assure him there’s nothing going on.’

‘Secrets, sis? Slippery slope and all that.’

‘Just saving him from needless bother. I could tell him – probably will, actually. It just needs to be the right moment. Besides, I thought everyone agreed there 192were times when it’s best to keep quiet about things. Clovis is getting married. He’s not interested in me.’

‘But he’s so appallingly gorgeous! How can you resist?’

‘It got easier,’ sighed Thea. ‘Three months ago, I’d have turned to jelly if he’d touched me. Now the spell seems to have been broken, thank goodness.’

‘I’ll take your word for that. Now tell me all about this murder. Was it right here, in this house? That’s what I’m hearing.’ She looked at the slightly ragged old carpet, as if for bloodstains.