‘Black Gucci shoes with mud-covered heels.’ Will looked shell-shocked. ‘When I came home from Canada, Kate wasn’t there. I got in the bath, and heard her come in. She was ages before she came and found me. I asked where she’d been, and she said to the garage for fuel. But I saw her best shoes in the porch, the heels all muddy.’ He looked as if he was about to cry. ‘So much for getting petrol! She had been at the funeral. How could she, Matt? We travelled halfway across the world without her because she couldn’t face going to my only sister’s funeral. She couldn’t be there to support me in my grief, yet she managed to dress up and drive herself to the cremation of a complete stranger! I didn’t even know the woman was dead!’

Matt didn’t know what to say at first. He gripped his friend’s arm tightly. ‘Look, Will, you need to get a hold on this. There’s one hell of a difference between flying off to another country and driving a couple of miles in familiar territory. And don’t forget, Mrs Holland was her only living link to the place she’s obsessed with. In her fragile state, I’m willing to bet that Kate believed she had no choice.’

Will looked at him, hollow-eyed. It was going to take him some considerable time to get over this apparent betrayal.

‘Come on, man! She’s far from being herself, and you know it. Cut her some slack. Just don’t go storming off home to have a go at her. We both know that could have disastrous consequences.’

‘I’m ready!’ Emilia called down. Her voice seemed to rouse Will from his stupor.

‘Coming!’ he called back. He swallowed. ‘I hear what you say, Matt. I’m just hurt, and I think I have every right to be.’ He went back up the stairs two at a time and collected the bags.

Five minutes later, the two men watched Emilia Swain’s new Volvo drive away in a cloud of dust.

‘Bloody shame,’ growled Matt. ‘We must find out what is going on here. We have to.’

Will nodded absently.

‘Want me to come back with you, Will?’ Matt asked.

Will shook his head. ‘I appreciate the offer, Matt, but it’s okay, I won’t mention it — well, not tonight. Maybe another time when I’m less emotional, but I won’t have a go, I promise.’

‘Okay, then I’ll head off home. If you see my vehicle around, it’ll just be me keeping an eye on Emilia’s place. Not that I think I’ll do any better than I did before. Speak tomorrow.’