‘If the bastard is telling the truth and isn’t involved in what’s going on here then it’ll be a big weight off my shoulders,’ James said.

‘Then I’ll make it my business to get back to you as soon as possible,’ Ackerman replied.

It was seven-forty-five when James let himself into the house. He had time to hang up his coat and kick off his shoes before Annie appeared in the hallway.

‘I’m so glad you’re back,’ she said. ‘I’ve got some things to tell you.’

Her appearance startled him, but he tried to mask his reaction to it with a smile.

‘I’ve got things to tell you too, hon,’ he said. ‘But can we pour ourselves a couple of strong drinks before we chat?’

She held up a glass that he hadn’t realised she was holding.

‘I’m already way ahead of you,’ she said.

James knew she’d had a rough day, what with Lorna Manning’s murder, the church service, and her Uncle Bill. It was also likely that she’d been told that Daniel Curtis wanted to know if she’d had an abortion. If she had, then maybe she was about to confront the issue head-on by telling him whether or not it was true. He was ready to assure her that it didn’t matter to him either way.

Her eyes were dry but raw, and she looked smaller somehow, as though crushed by the weight of grief and worry. His heart went out to her, so he stepped forward and gave her a hug.

‘We’ll get through this, hon,’ he whispered, his lips brushing her cheek. ‘We’ve just got to tough it out like everyone else in the village.’

Annie eased herself away from him and grasped his elbow with her free hand.

‘Come into the kitchen,’ she said. ‘I’ve already poured you a large whiskey. I’ve just got to add the ice.’

He sat at the table while she fixed his drink and topped up her own glass with wine. He wondered how many she’d had but thought it best not to ask. He’d never known her to drink so much and he knew the stress was to blame.

He was keen to tell her about his conversation with Andrew Sullivan, though not the part where he’d talked about meeting James to settle some ‘unfinished business’. If the guy’s alibi checked out then it’d be one less thing for Annie to worry about. But he wouldn’t say anything until she got what she needed to get off her chest.

He stayed quiet as she put their drinks on the table. But before sitting down she returned to the worktop and picked up an object that was all too familiar to him.

‘I went to see Janet Dyer today and she gave me this,’ she said, handing it to him. ‘I didn’t open it until a short time ago and it gave me a shock.’

It was another card with the Twelve Days of Christmas design. James opened it up and read the message inside, which was scrawled in blue ballpoint.