Willow Road had detached properties on one side and open fields on the other. James saw the post office van parked outside a house halfway along. The postman, wearing a high-vis jacket, was standing next to it smoking a cigarette.

James was both surprised and relieved to see that the guy was alone. He’d expected at least a few nosey neighbours to have gathered by now.

The postman was in his forties with a beard and a pasty white face. James flashed his card and explained that he was responding to the 999 call because he happened to live only a couple of streets away.

The postman gave his name as Paul Mason and pointed to the house.

‘As you can see the front door is open,’ he said in a trembling voice. ‘It was half-open when I arrived to deliver a letter. It struck me as odd because it was so cold and wet and there was nobody outside. So I called out but got no response. I’ve met the woman who lives here a few times so I took the liberty of pushing the door all the way open and calling out her name. But that was when I saw the body. You see, the hallway is short and leads up to the kitchen. That door was open too and she was lying on the floor.’

‘So what did you do?’ James asked him.

‘I ran straight in thinking she had fainted or something. But then I saw the blood and what had been done to her throat. I came straight out again and threw up my guts in the road before phoning 999.’

‘Did you touch her or anything else in the room?’

‘No way. I saw she was dead and couldn’t get out of there quick enough.’

‘And is there anyone else in the house?’

‘I didn’t see anyone, but I can’t be sure. I do know the lady lives alone, though. She’s not married.’

‘Do any of the neighbours know what’s going on?’

‘I don’t think so. Nobody has come out, but then it’s not unusual for my van to be parked here.’

James looked at his watch. Seven-fifteen.

‘More officers will be here soon,’ he said. ‘Just stay put while I go inside. And make sure no one goes through the gate.’

The postman gave a sharp nod. ‘Gotcha.’

James felt the tension in his limbs as he walked up to the house. He’d brought with him latex gloves and paper shoe covers, which he slipped on before stepping over the threshold.

Inside it was just as the postman had described and there was enough light to see the body on the floor. But before moving towards it, James asked out loud if there was anyone in the house. There was no response so he proceeded along the hallway.

The woman was lying on her back and wearing only a dressing gown that hung open to reveal her left breast and panties.

And the blood that covered much of her flesh.