How he loved her! They were planning to marry at some point but felt no need to hurry. They were happy as they were, enjoying their new freedom. They had spent years living for nothing but the police force — juggling shift work, overtime, broken sleep and missed appointments. It had been a life governed by crime and its perpetrators. This new life was a revelation. Even so, Matt was certain that they had made the right choice in not giving up work entirely. He was determined that he wasn’t going to keel over into a newly dug compost heap. Anyway, he was no gardener. Unlike Emilia Swain. Thinking of her, his buoyant mood sank. Having her garden shed ransacked and, worse, her precious pet wantonly killed, would have been traumatic for anyone, let alone an older woman living alone.

Maybe this was the sort of thing they would become good at. Not solving murders any more but making peoples’ lives a little bit better. They would start by helping Mrs Swain.

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER TWO

The small town of Fenfleet held an outdoor farmers’ market every Wednesday. Matt and Liz arrived early and found a parking space that gave a clear view of the bus stop. The local bus meandered around the more outlying villages and hamlets and brought those people that did not drive into the town, returning two hours later. There were only two buses a day, but the more remote areas the service covered considered themselves very lucky, as some had no public transport at all.

Matt and Liz felt like they were back on “obo,” and while they waited, they reminisced about the long hours they had spent watching and waiting in far less salubrious surroundings than these.

Matt spotted Emilia Swain stepping down from the bus. ‘See her? Greying hair, glasses, purple half-jacket, check shirt, black slacks and walking shoes.’

‘Got her.’ Liz stared at the woman. She was upright, well built, with a weathered skin that spoke of hours spent outdoors. ‘Doesn’t look like a shrinking violet, does she?’

‘She isn’t,’ said Matt. ‘I understand the lady has been through a lot in her life. Her husband intimated as much when I spoke to him. He was fiercely proud of her.’

‘So, we let her get her shopping, then, er, intercept her?’ She watched the woman head directly for a large greengrocer’s stand.

‘We’d better follow at a distance, and pick up a few bits and pieces to justify being here.’

‘Good. I see the Cheese Man is here today — his Lincolnshire Poacher is to die for. Plus, we could do with some fresh veg, so the trip won’t be wasted.’ Liz pulled a list from her pocket. ‘I came prepared.’

They spent the next twenty-five minutes wandering from stall to stall, keeping Emilia Swain in view. Finally, Matt announced, ‘Okay, she looks pretty well laden with bags. Time for my Bafta-winning performance.’