Steph turned to go back inside but hesitated when she saw Dominic Sinclair standing at the top of the steps, his hands in his pockets, watching her. Despite the warmth of the afternoon, she gave a small shiver. His eyes were as cold as ice and his face unsmiling. She forced herself forward and smiled. ‘She’s going home now. Won’t be bothering you again.’

‘I’m glad to hear it,’ said Dominic. ‘Sorry, what did you say your name was again?’

Steph held up the tag on her lanyard. ‘Stephanie Durham. Vacation Staycation.’

Dominic frowned. ‘Durham. Stephanie Durham. Have we met before?’

Steph smiled, hoping to disguise the unease she was feeling. ‘No, we haven’t. I’ve just got one of those faces that everyone thinks they recognise.’

Dominic smiled back. ‘I’m usually good with faces but even the best of us get it wrong sometimes.’

‘Right, better get back to the reception,’ said Steph, injecting false cheer into her voice. Her stomach gave an anxious roll. Something about Dominic Sinclair scared her and there was an undercurrent of danger to him that was unnerving. In Steph’s profession this made someone particularly interesting, although she sensed she would have to be very careful around him.

Chapter Eleven

Conmere, Friday, 10 May, 1.50 p.m.

Harry sighed. Sonia Lomas turning up had been the last thing he had expected and the last he needed. He wasn’t quite sure what she was hoping to achieve by her visit, but that wasn’t what troubled him the most.

It wasn’t the first time Sonia had appeared to remind him of Elizabeth’s death and to imply it had been anything other than an accident. Actually, she never implied anything; she wasn’t that subtle. No, Sonia said exactly what she thought – that Elizabeth had been murdered. But what had troubled him most today was that it had all played out in front of the reviewer from Vacation Staycation. Despite the lowly job title, she was still part of the press and Harry knew from past experience what they could be like. He’d better go and see that this Steph had managed to persuade Sonia to leave.

He stepped out into the hall and could see Dominic standing on the front steps of the house, just as the woman was coming back inside. He noted the small exchange between them and observed that Steph looked flustered as she came through the front door, unaware he was there.

‘Fuck,’ she muttered, not quite enough under her breath. She looked up and was obviously startled to see him standing in the middle of the tiled hallway by the centrepiece flower arrangement. ‘You frightened me.’

Harry gave an apologetic smile. ‘I was just coming out to check Sonia was OK.’

‘Don’t you mean, to check Sonia had left?’