As always, the rugged beauty of the landscape lifted his spirits. It never ceased to amaze him how spectacular it all was. The frosted hills and chilled lakes, the windswept fell tops and distinctive stone walls. It was no surprise to James that the stunning scenery had served as inspiration for so many poets and artists.

The unspoilt picturesque village was situated on the watershed between the River Lune and the River Eden and Lisa Doyle lived in one of the many scattered dwellings on the periphery. James was there just before nine o’clock and she was waiting for him.

After James introduced himself, she said, ‘It’s nice to meet you, Inspector. I hope you had a pleasant journey here.’

She looked much older than she did in the website photo which had probably been taken years ago. He reckoned she was in her late sixties. She had an open, welcoming face and eyes that were sharp despite the shadows beneath them.

James politely declined her offer of a hot drink, and when they were seated at the table in the dining room, she said, ‘Giles explained why you wanted to meet me. I just hope I can be of help.’

‘And that’s why I’m so glad you’ve allowed me to come and talk to you, Ms Doyle,’ James said. ‘We’re struggling to understand what led to the killings at Oaktree Farm on Christmas Eve.’

She shook her head. ‘I still can’t believe what’s happened. It’s totally shocking, especially following on from the terrible events that took place in the village this time last year.’

‘Indeed, it is,’ James said. ‘I’m hoping that the more we learn about the family the closer we’ll get to solving it.’

‘Well, I know that Giles made you aware of my visits to the farm. The first was actually nine years ago and the second was just four years ago.’

‘And it was Mary Bateman who contacted you. Is that right?’

‘That’s correct. She first approached me when I held one of my psychic evenings at the village hall in Kirkby Abbey.’

‘And what did she say?’

‘She was of the firm belief that Oaktree Farm was haunted and she wanted me to confirm it and, if possible, to contact the spirits.’

‘And that led to the first visit?’

She nodded, and then grinned. ‘I feel compelled to ask if you’re a sceptic when it comes to the supernatural, Inspector.’

He smiled back. ‘I’m afraid I am, but I fully appreciate that a great many people believe in such things and find comfort in that.’

She nodded again. ‘And Mary Bateman was one of them. She truly believed that she was sharing her home with the couple who died there over twenty years ago.’

‘As a matter of interest, did you yourself know Simon and Amanda Roth?’

‘No, I didn’t. But I knew of them, of course.’