I’m heading towards the outskirts of the village now and the relentless snow is beginning to get on my nerves. I keep having to wipe it from my face, and I’m finding it harder to see where I’m going. The cold is also getting to me, and I’m shivering under my heavy coat and thick jumper.

It comes as a relief when I spot the sign for the garden centre up ahead. It means I’m almost there. I decide to have a nightcap before getting into bed; a large, strong drink to warm me up.

As I draw level with the garden centre’s low wall, I hear what sounds like someone fighting for breath close behind me.

Acting on instinct, I stop and turn, but there’s no time for me to react to what happens next. There’s only time to register the familiar face that’s barely an arm’s length away.

Then comes a sharp pain, and I think I’ve been punched in the stomach. But when my head drops, I see the knife being wrenched out of me.

I stagger back against the wall, but I’m not able to stop the knife being plunged into me a second time.

The ground suddenly opens up beneath me and I feel myself being dragged down into a dark pit, with the words of my assailant ringing in my ears.

‘This is no more than you deserve, and it’s been a long time coming.’

CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN

Wednesday December 21st

It was snowing heavily when James and Annie woke up on Wednesday morning.

On the TV news there were reports of trees coming down and roads being blocked. As predicted, it was Scotland and the northern counties of England that were the worst hit. Some areas were already without power, and commuters heading for work were facing traffic chaos.

A story broke just as James was about to take a mug of tea up to Annie who was still in bed. There had been a major pile-up on the M6 a few miles south of Penrith. Dozens of vehicles were involved, and it was feared there would be multiple casualties. The motorway was now closed in both directions to enable emergency vehicles to get to the scene, and traffic was backed up for miles.

James knew there was no knowing how many officers would make it to Kirkby Abbey, either because roads were blocked or because they were about to be reassigned.

He told Annie how bad it was out there and she reminded him that the village could be cut off.

‘A big problem for us is that there’s only one road in and out,’ she said. ‘And it doesn’t take much to make it impassable.’

It was the last thing James wanted to hear as he turned his thoughts to the day ahead. The case was already proving to be a tough one to crack, and now they would have to persevere in Arctic conditions and most likely with fewer people.

He showered and dressed before making any calls. It was 7.30 a.m. when he rang DS Stevens, only to discover that he was still at his home in Burneside, digging his car out of the driveway.