‘Oh yes, she’s one of our longest-serving midwives. She’s very highly thought of. Many mums request her.’

‘I’m sure she is excellent,’ Beth said. ‘My enquiry has nothing to do with her competence. I’m doing a routine follow-up after a baby’s death. David Jennings. It was a home delivery.’

‘Oh yes, that was so sad. Anne was very upset, as we all were. But Anne is the best person to support the parents.’

‘Does Anne carry out many home deliveries?’ Beth asked.

‘Yes, that’s her speciality. She loves home births.’

‘Thank you for your help. I’ll give Anne a call now.’

‘You know that sometimes, despite the best care in the world, a baby can’t survive. It’s heart-breaking for all involved, but it’s no one’s fault.’

‘No, I understand that,’ Beth said. ‘Thanks again for your help.’

Beth took a sip from the bottle of water on her desk and then keyed in Anne Long’s mobile number. Matt was concentrating on his screen as he typed.

Anne’s phone was answered after a couple of rings. ‘Hello, Anne Long speaking.’

‘Good afternoon. It’s Detective Constable Beth Mayes, Coleshaw CID. Is this a convenient time to talk?’

‘I have a few minutes, yes. Why? What’s it about?’

‘I understand you were the midwife for Emma and Ian Jennings?’

‘Yes, that’s correct. Emma’s just called me. She was very upset by your visit.’

‘It wasn’t my intention to upset her,’ Beth said, meeting Matt’s gaze as he glanced up from his computer screen. ‘I’m hoping you can answer my questions.’

‘I’ll try.’

‘I understand Emma had a home delivery?’

‘Yes.’

‘And their baby didn’t survive?’

‘That’s correct.’

‘Was the baby full term?’ Beth asked.

‘Nowhere near.’

‘So it was stillborn?’

‘No. A late miscarriage.’

‘Oh, I see. How many weeks’ gestation was it, if that’s the right term?’

‘It is, but I’m sorry, this is very personal information. I should like to know the reason you’re asking before I share it.’

‘Of course. I am following up on a call from a member of the public who thought their baby had been born alive and is now missing.’

‘They are wrong. It was twenty-three weeks, more a foetus than a baby. At that stage it is known as a late miscarriage, not a stillborn. Stillborn is after twenty-four weeks.’

‘Do late miscarriages have to be registered?’ Beth asked.

‘Not at present, although there is some feeling there should be a register for late miscarriages as it could help give the parents closure.’

‘So it wasn’t alive when you took it from the house?’ Beth asked as she wrote. Matt was still watching her, listening to the one-sided conversation.