Back at the square the crowd was waiting with bated breath. James gulped air into his lungs as he tried to work out how best to handle the situation. He needed to persuade them to clear the square, but he sensed that wasn’t going to be easy.

A man broke away from the crowd as he approached and hurried towards him. It was Giles Keegan, the retired detective who used to be based at the Kendal office.

‘Is it true?’ he asked excitedly. ‘Is there a body?’

Keegan was a big fella in his mid-sixties who stayed in shape by regularly walking the fells. He was over six feet tall with a barrel chest and a large, square head that rested on wide shoulders.

James found his presence somewhat reassuring, and it gave him an idea.

He stopped in front of the ex-cop, and said, ‘I need you to listen in to what I’m about to announce, Giles. And then I’d appreciate your help in keeping things steady here until the troops arrive. They’re on their way.’

‘Just tell me what you want me to do,’ Keegan replied. ‘I’m at your disposal.’

James thanked him and got straight on with addressing the crowd. As he spoke, he took in their worried expressions and noted that Fiona the hiker was standing between Annie and Father Silver.

‘First let me explain for those who don’t know me that I’m Detective Inspector James Walker, serving with the Cumbria force, and I recently moved into the village,’ he said. ‘I can confirm that there is a man’s body in the field on the other side of the stream.’

He paused there and waited for the ripple of nervous chatter to die down before continuing.

‘The circumstances of this person’s death have yet to be established, and I would ask you all to stay clear of that area until it’s been processed by forensic officers. Needless to say, in these circumstances, the carol singing will have to be postponed. It would be helpful if you could leave the square immediately to make way for police vehicles that will be here shortly.

‘However, if any of you saw anything last night or early this morning that might in any way be relevant to this, then please make yourselves known to me.’

Inevitably there were questions, and the first came from a man at the front.

‘Do you know who he is?’ the man said.

‘I do, but I’m not at liberty to reveal the identity until relatives have been informed.’

‘Was he murdered?’ someone else shouted.

James held up his arms.

‘Look, I realise what a terrible shock this is to you all, but I’m not in a position to answer questions at this stage. So please be patient and do not venture onto the field. When my colleagues arrive an incident centre will be set up to deal with enquiries.’

He turned away from the crowd and lowered his voice to speak to Giles Keegan.