‘I travel quite a bit. At least four times a year to India, but also Bangladesh, Indonesia, Madagascar and so on. Normally, it would include meetings with suppliers, and family, which includes a fair bit of overlap, because we have a network of family affiliates. The quality of our ingredients is carefully monitored. But on this occasion, it was mainly family business. As you may have heard, I’m getting married in two weeks’ time, or was due to. I suppose it will have to be put back now. The wedding planner is having a nervous breakdown. Most of my time in Mumbai was spent at the family home of my betrothed, making arrangements.’

‘Is your bride-to-be in this country at the moment?’

‘No. She lives in Mumbai, which is where she works. She is not a British citizen yet.’

‘That can be quite tricky, can’t it?’ Claire asked.

‘My fiancée’s family is quite well off, so I don’t really anticipate too many problems with her visa. We also have some very good people who work on these type of issues.’ His expression betrayed a little smugness.

‘Tell me a little bit more about your position in the company,’ Gillard asked.

Harry Roy then went into a detailed description of his role as head of finance. He worked mainly at head office in Slough, but had trusted deputies in Redhill and Shadwell. ‘It’s not the most complex business in the world, to be honest. Brexit is an issue, though as most of our supplies are from outside the European Union the disruption should be manageable whatever version of departure we finally settle upon. Likewise our markets are 75 per cent within the UK, and 25 per cent Commonwealth countries. We’re modestly cash generative, investment capital is funded internally, and we have very little borrowed. In fact it’s the traditional Gujarati business model, where family capital sits at the centre of all activities.’ From nowhere, his head suddenly slid into his hands and he said: ‘God, I can’t believe I’m talking about all this now, when my mother is lying dead in some mortuary.’

Gillard apologised and said: ‘Honestly, if we could wait, we would. But every hour we delay makes it possible for the killer to cover his tracks.’

‘I know, I understand,’ Harry said.

‘I’d heard that your company has had takeover approaches,’ Gillard said.

Harry shrugged. ‘We are a very successful family-run business, with good operating margins and established brands. We also have a hard-to-replicate relationship with key suppliers, going back decades. Our intellectual capital is tied up in our recipes, which again are traditional family ones. It’s not surprising that the bigger international food conglomerates want a piece of the action. We have politely declined all such approaches.’

‘We need to know a little bit more about the company structure. I can see from the annual report that you own 20 per cent and your mother owned just five. There is also mention of a family trust with 30 per cent. I’m no financial expert, but who owns the rest?’