‘No surprise there, then,’ Kelly said. ‘The cabinet minister is in bad shape, I heard from pub gossip at the Wasdale Inn, at least. And the press are having a field day. The deceased, Bartholomew Kennedy-Craig, is getting an absolute bashing.’

‘The lord is hanging on by a thread,’ Kate agreed.

‘God, what a day.’

‘What was it like up there?’ Kate asked.

‘Horrific. Bodies everywhere. Some of the runners were amazing, I have to say. One in particular was standout. They call him “The Goat”. He’s a famous fell runner… well, famous in the fell running world at least, and he’s gorgeous,’ Kelly said.

‘Tell,’ Kate said, perched on the side of a desk in the incident room. It was empty apart from the two of them. Eden House was busy downstairs, as it was always, but shift work didn’t apply upstairs, where the serious crime unit was based. Kelly tried to make sure that her team kept their hours. Night work was only encouraged when chasing leads that couldn’t wait.

‘He’s called Glynn Cortantes,’ Kelly said.

‘Cortantes… now there’s a name! He sounds sexy already, I’m imagining brown eyes and rippling muscles.’ Kate closed her eyes and gave the impression she was picturing the young Spaniard in his running kit.

Kelly slapped her playfully. ‘Johnny came with me.’

Kate opened her eyes. ‘Oh?’

Kelly nodded wearily and yawned. ‘Awkward. We were in court and everybody’s phones went mad, so we headed over there together. He looks well.’

‘Of course he does. Any feelings of regret?’ Kate asked.

Kelly shook her head. ‘He suggested I stay with him at the Wasdale Inn. I think he was a bit put out by El Cabro.’

‘El Cabro?’

‘It’s Spanish for “The Goat”. Get me, I’m virtually fluent.’

They laughed.

‘Have you spoken to Millie?’ Kelly asked.

‘Yeah, she’s fine, she adores that baby of yours. She’s put her to bed and is sleeping in the spare room.’

‘Thanks, Kate. You should head off,’ Kelly said.

‘I’m plugged into the coffee machine, I’ll go when I’ve updated you. I’m fine, don’t worry,’ Kate said.

Kelly took off her coat and sat down at the computer Kate had obviously been working on. ‘Right, what have we got?’ They had other work to catch up on as well as the crash.

‘Local scumbag beat up his girlfriend, two squad cars were sent over this afternoon, called in by a neighbour. There’s clearly a controlling situation. Tiny flat, three kids under five. Social services are aware. He’s a dickhead, it’s all on bodycam. He’s known to us. Paul Edderbridge. The partner is in the Penrith and Lakes. He’s a nasty violent man and currently in a police cell downstairs. We’re trying to get the girlfriend to press charges, but she’s terrified.’