They went back to the car and Liz handed her their card. ‘Don’t take any notice of the private investigator label. We are offering to help simply because we care about what happens out here on the fens. After all, you are our closest friends’ neighbour. Please promise to ring if you are concerned about anything at all. You might not want to call the police, but you can call us, anytime.’

After some hesitation, Emilia finally accepted the card, adding, ‘But don’t you waste your precious time looking out for me. I’m what my husband called a tough old bird.’

That was probably true, but Liz had seen the gratitude in her smile.

Back in the car, Liz asked whether they should call at Will and Kate’s place, as they were only two minutes away.

Matt said no. ‘If you recall, he said Kate’s agent and the author of the books that she illustrates will be there today. They won’t want us intruding.’

‘You’re right,’ she said. ‘I’d forgotten about that. Just seems a shame to be so close and not drop by. We haven’t done that in quite a while, and I feel bad about it. When they first moved in, we used to see quite a lot of them.’

Matt turned the vehicle around and they made their way back to Tanners Fen, Liz gazing out of the window. ‘It’s a very different landscape here to where we live, even if it is only a few miles away. We are pretty remote, but this place is in another league altogether.’

Matt nodded. ‘We are that bit further inland, into farming country, and our part of the sea bank runs alongside the river. Whisper Fen leads directly on to the marsh and then the Wash and the North Sea. My gran on my mother’s side lived here. In fact,’ he pointed out of the driver’s window, ‘see those two small cottages in that tiny copse close to the marsh lane?’

Liz saw them. To her they looked sad, lonely, weather-beaten, and in desperate need of some TLC.

‘Don’t know who’s there now, but she lived there for most of her life.’ He grunted. ‘Deserved a medal in my book. Cannon Farm, my paternal grandparents’ home, was warm and dry and a good place to grow up in, but I’m not sure I would have liked to spend years of my life here.’

‘I’m damned sure I wouldn’t.’ Liz gave an involuntary shiver. ‘Although I have to say, Mrs Swain’s place is very attractive.’

‘Must get lonely being so far out, though she’ll probably be mobile again soon — in her new Mustang or her Lexus.’ He laughed. ‘What a woman! You have to admire her, don’t you?’