‘I didn’t realise how much came down last night,’ he told James. ‘I couldn’t believe it when I got up this morning. My house is in a dip so the snow piles up. But it shouldn’t take me much longer to get going.’

Stevens was aware of the M6 pile-up and had heard that so far three people were known to have been killed.

‘It’s a serious one, for sure,’ he said. ‘And I expect there’ll be many more accidents by the end of the day. Resources will be stretched.’

James then phoned the office in Kendal. Thankfully, most of the team had already turned up and others were on their way in, including DCI Tanner. James was told that the officers in Kirkby Abbey had called in with nothing to report. It had been a quiet night and they hadn’t had to respond to any incidents.

Next James called DC Abbott on her mobile. She was having breakfast in her B&B and said she would pick him up in her car if he wanted her to.

‘You can see now why I decided to stay overnight here, guv,’ she said. ‘I know what it’s like in these parts when the snows come.’

‘It was a good call,’ James said. ‘How hard do you think it will be for others to reach the village?’

‘That depends how bad the roads are. I haven’t checked yet, but I’ll put a call in to control if you like and get the latest from them.’

‘Good idea. By the way did you sleep well?’

‘Like a log,’ she said. ‘The bed is twice the size of the one I’ve got at home and I didn’t have to share it with my boyfriend.’

He told her he would call her when he was ready to leave and they would go first to the village hall.

Annie joined him downstairs while she was still in her dressing gown.

‘I’m having some toast before I set off,’ he said. ‘Do you want some?’

She shook her head. ‘I’ll make myself something when you’ve gone. Will you let me know how things go?’

‘Of course. What have you got planned?’

‘Nothing at all, apart from a visit to the store. And I suppose I’ll have to touch base with my uncle. It’s such a shame that he decided to come here so soon before Christmas. He’d have avoided all that’s going on if he’d come on the twenty-second, as agreed.’

‘But didn’t he come early because he was worried that the weather might stop him from getting here?’

Annie nodded. ‘Exactly. How gloriously ironic.’

‘Is he intent on staying?’

‘I’m not sure. We should have asked him last night when we had the chance. He can’t leave anyway until his car’s ready.’

James had just started to butter his toast when his phone rang. He picked it up from the table, saw that it was Father Silver who was calling, and felt a flicker of trepidation.

‘Good morning, Father,’ he said. ‘Any chance you’re not ringing me with more bad news?’