Will gave a humourless laugh. ‘I recall the feeling well. Life is a bit like that right now, but the thing is, I’m not sure if it’s me and I’m reading too much into things, or whether I have every right to be bothered.’

‘Well, we were coppers for a long while, and we do tend to see the negative side of things. And you were one of the most intuitive detectives I ever worked with, so if there is a rat, you will definitely have smelt it.’

‘A while ago I would have agreed with you, but since I had to give up the job and we moved here, I just don’t feel like that man any more.’

‘Why don’t you talk to Liz, Will? After all, she went through exactly the same thing. She too was retired out of the job she loved. She might be able to help, and if nothing else, she’s a damned good listener.’

‘Oh, I’m not going to lay all this on her, she’s got her health problems to contend with. And the two of you are happier than I’ve ever known you to be. Take no notice, I’m probably just feeling sorry for myself. Anyhow, it’s got nothing to do with what I want to talk to you about.’ Will lowered his voice. ‘I’m starting to realise that I don’t think I ever came to terms with how ill Kate became after losing the baby, and the effect it still has on her. She’s so vulnerable, Matt! And so mercurial — she changes in the blink of an eye.’

Matt nodded. That couldn’t be easy to cope with. He was about to respond when Liz arrived carrying a tray of coffee and chocolate biscuits.

‘I thought this sounded serious enough to hit the Hobnobs.’ She placed the tray on the coffee table and flopped into a chair.

Will chuckled. For a fleeting moment Matt caught a glimpse of the old Will.

Matt handed his friend a steaming mug. ‘Okay, Will. What’s bugging you?’

Deliberately, Will set the mug down on the coffee table. ‘Actually, I want to hire your professional services.’

Matt sat up straight. ‘What? As investigators? Why?’

‘Something is not right on Whisper Fen, and I’m a bit too close to start digging around myself. Added to which, Kate is on a deadline and working all hours, which means I’m running the home, shopping, feeding us and trying to work on the house at the same time. I’m run ragged.’ He raised his hands. ‘Oh, I’m not complaining, honestly. What Kate is doing is amazing, and I fully support her, but I don’t have the time, or the inclination, to embark on an unofficial investigation.’

Absentmindedly nibbling on a biscuit, Liz had her gaze fixed on Will.

‘So, what do you think is going on?’ she asked.