For the first time he looked agitated. ‘Jesus, what is this? The sergeant said you just wanted to have a word about where Jack was the night before he died. Now you’re arresting me!’ His face was the colour of strawberry ice cream but he looked anything but cool. He was sweating profusely, and his breathing was coming in short bursts.

Sally said, ‘Calm down, Mr Kelly. You’re not under arrest. It’s just part of the process we’re required to go through when we interview someone. I’m sure you’ve got nothing to worry about. You’re simply here to answer a few questions.’

With shaking hands, he picked up the plastic cup in front of him and took a sip of water. Then, drawing in a deep breath, he puffed out his cheeks and seemed to relax a little.

Sally asked, ‘Am I right in thinking you were with Jack the evening before he died?’

He nodded. ‘That’s right. I bumped into Jack down at The Lamb. I was surprised to see him. He hadn’t been out and about for a few weeks.’

‘Would you have described yourself as a close friend of Mr Tyler’s?’

He said, ‘Not especially. We knocked around together sometimes. Both enjoyed a good craic, if you know what I mean.’

‘And was Jack up for the craic when you saw him that night?’

He shook his head. ‘He was sitting in the corner on his own with a face as long as a clock.’

‘Did he say why?’

‘He said bugger all until I’d poured a pint or two inside him. That loosened him up a bit.’

Sally said, ‘That was very generous of you, Mr Kelly.’

‘Well, he was a mate. I’d been down to Salisbury and won a few quid in the afternoon. No point in having good fortune if you don’t share it around, now, is there?’

‘A mate’. Not exactly how he’d described him a moment ago. She tucked the comment away for now.

Sally asked, ‘What did Jack have to say for himself when he loosened up?’

‘He was on a bit of a downer.’

‘Did he say why that was exactly?’

‘He’d lost his job a few weeks before.’

Sally said, ‘That’s rather odd, Mr Kelly. According to our records Jack Tyler hadn’t worked in over a year.’

Damian Kelly paused, and Sally watched as he stared down at his hands, clasped tightly together in front of him. After a few seconds he looked up at her. ‘I don’t suppose it matters now the poor bastard’s dead. Jack did a bit of cash-in-hand work.’

‘What sort of thing?’