‘That would have been just over a year ago.’

‘And when was the last time you saw her?’

‘About six weeks ago. I’d heard that she’d got a new job at a charity shop in Kendal. I was in town so I dropped by to wish her well.’

‘We actually heard about that, Mr Nash,’ James said. ‘Apparently Charlotte told her colleague that she thought you were stalking her because you couldn’t accept that your relationship with her was over.’

He shook his head. ‘That was what Savage tried to make her believe. He started telling it to people before Charlotte moved in with him and was still living here in the village. He didn’t like the fact that I tried a couple of times to persuade her to leave him. I knew he wasn’t good for her. And it turns out I was right.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Well he got her into drugs and God only knows what else. And now we’re being led to believe that he killed her and her family.’

‘We don’t know that for certain, Mr Nash.’

‘Then why wasn’t his body also found at the farm? The police have made it clear that he was with the family on Christmas Eve.’

‘That’s a good question and one that we can’t answer as yet,’ James said. ‘Would you have any idea where he might be?’

‘None at all. If I did, I’d tell you, but I only know him by reputation. I’m glad to say I never met him.’ Emotion suddenly overwhelmed him and the tears came out in huge, racking sobs. He pulled a rag from his pocket and pressed it against his eyes.

‘I keep trying to hold it in, but I can’t,’ he sobbed. ‘It’s really got to me. I just don’t understand it.’

He was visibly shaking now and started to cough.

DC Abbott shot to her feet and offered to get him some water. He mumbled a thank you and pointed to the door that led to the kitchen.

James stayed where he was and tried to determine whether the man’s grief was genuine. It certainly seemed to be. But then people often became consummate actors when they were desperate to hide something.

Abbott came back with a glass of water that she handed to Nash. He thanked her and started drinking.

‘Do you need more time or can I start asking you a few more questions?’ James said.

Nash swallowed a mouthful of water and asked James what else he wanted to know.

‘I’d like you to tell me how well you knew Charlotte’s parents. Did you spend much time at Oaktree Farm when you were together?’

‘Not really,’ he replied. ‘Charlotte preferred to come here, and at the time she was working at a factory in town so it was more convenient for both of us.’