Will could think of nothing. What could they do? He was hardly going to object to his sister being buried with the man she loved, was he? He had been assured that his niece would be staying with Françoise’s family until a permanent home could be found for her. Apparently, the little girl was devastated. She was being monitored carefully and given the full support of the base medical team. The Fauve family were giving her love and a good home environment to assist her to come to terms with her loss. It was thought prudent to leave her where she was. Philip and Annette Fauve had insisted that Sophie stay with them as long as necessary. They had been Eva and Guy’s closest friends and were devastated by the horrific news.

Will rang them. He had been dreading speaking to Sophie, but when he did, although she seemed quieter than he remembered, their conversation was far less emotional than he had expected. Annette Fauve spoke to him shortly afterwards, and said the little girl was being remarkably brave, although the smallest of things could bring on floods of tears.

He was dreading the funeral. The last one he and Kate had attended had been their daughter’s.

He would have to go without her, but the thought of Kate alone in Holland House filled him with concern. On the other hand, the thought of Kate in black again was beyond contemplation.

They had not yet broached the subject, but Will put off discussing it with her until a date was set.

On the Wednesday, he went into town and bought himself a new dark suit. He couldn’t bring himself to put on the one he had worn to his daughter’s funeral, and he wondered why he had kept it.

When he returned, Kate was sitting on the bench, waiting for him. She beckoned to him and patted the seat beside her.

Will kissed her forehead and sat down.

‘I can’t go to the funeral, Will. I just can’t face it.’ She was staring at the ground.

‘I don’t want you to go, sweetheart. I know it would be too much for you, but you can’t stay here on your own either. Perhaps you could spend a few days with your cousin Judy. She’d love to see you again.’

‘Oh, I couldn’t leave the house, darling. I’ll be fine here. I’m not scared. After all, I spent enough nights alone when you were on shift.’

‘Not on the edge of a desolate fen, you didn’t.’

‘And what, officer, is the crime rate here, compared with the town?’

‘There is no comparison, Kate!’

‘I rest my case.’

‘Come on, babe! I’ll worry myself sick. What if we got someone to stay with you until I get home?’

‘Who, exactly?’

‘I don’t know. There must be someone.’