‘I don’t think so. It was more like a large envelope than a proper package.’

‘Something crooked though?’

‘Oh, it stank, Mattie. He was furtive, like a rat, glancing this way and that. Luckily, he didn’t clock me.’ She shrugged. ‘I have no idea what it meant, but it certainly proves that Will hasn’t lost his ability to sniff out a wrong ’un.’

‘I never doubted that for a moment,’ said Matt.

‘So, are you okay if I do a little sleuthing, and possibly pick up some small remuneration, while you are being psychotherapist to Kate? I’m not being dismissive of her plight, believe me, but it’s you she will respond to now you are home, not me. And I’m sure Will appreciates your support.’

Matt nodded. ‘Sure, and if things calm down, I can chip in and help. Don’t forget, Will originally wanted us to check out Grove, and that’s just what you’re doing, even if it was unintentional.’

‘Great. How about a glass of wine while I prepare the dinner, and we’ll work out how to proceed?’

Matt put her wine on the table. ‘Would you mind if I did a night shift on obo down at Little Anchor? I’ve been thinking that if someone has been monitoring Emilia’s comings and goings, they might have seen her drive off with luggage.’

‘Or they might allow the dust to settle and return when they think everyone’s forgotten about them,’ added Liz, cutting up vegetables.

‘True, but for some reason, I think they’ll strike quickly. There has to be something they want in that cottage, even if Emilia herself doesn’t know what it is.’

‘Well, we all know never to ignore our intuitions, but how about if we do shifts, rather than you doing a whole night? I could go down at dusk, and then you take over at around one or two?’ She looked at him. ‘Shall I get the flask out? I never do obo without a brew.’

‘I don’t want you overdoing it, my darling,’ Matt said.

‘I’m okay, Mattie. I know my limitations, and I’m certainly good for a few hours’ observation. Where do you suggest we park up?’

‘Let’s ring Will and ask if we can use his drive as a base, then walk back to Little Anchor and set up camp in her garden. She has a tiny summerhouse that they forgot to trash when they wrecked the garden. That would offer some protection and give a good view of the lane and the front of the house.’ Matt took a sip of wine. ‘Shall I ask him? Oh, and I’ll tell him about your sighting of Grove.’

‘Sounds good to me. Go for it.’