They watched her go, Oliver sinking into a chair, staring after her with such a look of helplessness that it made Clara’s heart hurt. She thought about Emily’s email, wishing she could tell them about it, praying that one day soon she’d be able to give them the news they’d waited for so long.

Tom was outside when they left the house, leaning against his car and gazing out across the fields. A thin veil of drizzle hung in the tepid air and crows cawed and circled overhead. He turned when he heard them crunching across the wet gravel towards him and levelling his gaze at Clara said quietly, ‘I’m sorry about that.’

She felt a rush of indignation on Rose’s behalf and was relieved when Mac answered for them. ‘Don’t worry about it,’ he said. ‘It’s a difficult time. Are you OK?’

‘Yeah. You know …’

She was conscious of his eyes on her still and busied herself with fiddling with her phone.

‘What are you both doing here?’ he asked, and listened while Mac quickly ran through their plan.

‘We’re starting with Luke’s first girlfriend,’ he told him, ‘Amy Lowe. Did you know her?’

Tom shook his head. ‘Not well. I’d left for university by the time they started going out. Are you off there now?’

‘Yeah, she lives outside Framlingham, apparently.’ Mac checked his phone and read out the name of Amy’s street.

‘I know it,’ said Tom. ‘I’m heading in that direction myself. I’ll show you the way if you want to follow me.’ He paused, and finally Clara looked up and met his gaze. ‘Actually, there’s a pub nearby called the Kestrel,’ he said. ‘I could do with a drink, if you …?’

‘Sure,’ Mac shrugged, before she could make up an excuse. ‘We’ll follow you there.’

As they pulled out of The Willows’ driveway and began to follow the black Audi, Clara expelled a long breath. ‘God, that was weird,’ she said. ‘What the hell was going on between Tom and Rose?’

‘Christ knows.’

‘As if she hasn’t got enough on her plate without him laying into her too,’ she said angrily. ‘He’s so bloody strange.’

‘I know,’ he murmured. ‘I guess they’re all very upset.’ After a while, he said, ‘They looked awful, didn’t they, Rose and Oliver?’ He flicked his indicator and followed Tom as he turned left, away from the village. ‘Poor bastards. I can’t believe this has happened to them again.’