Jo shook her head. ‘That’s not what I’m saying, Clare. There’s nothing to tell. From what you say, Stone and his guys have no idea Crabby has anything to do with what happened. And the only way they’re going to find out is if one of us tells them. And that’s not going to happen. So if you tell Crabby all you’re gonna do is make him panic.’ She took a long swig from her rum and Coke. ‘Oh, and make him mad as hell with us too.’

Clare said, ‘I suppose you’ve got a point. But it just doesn’t feel right dropping him in it like that and then not even having the decency to tell him what I’ve done.’

Jo shrugged her shoulders, ‘It’s your call, Clare. But in my experience guilt is never a good reason for doing anything. And telling him is just gonna make things worse.’

Clare stared down at the tabletop before letting out a long sigh. ‘No. You’re right, Jo. I know you are.’ Looking up, she said, ‘It’s not worth causing more trouble than I already have just to salve my conscience.’

Jo said, ‘Don’t take this the wrong way, but I think you need to chill out for a while. Take a vacation. You need a break, Clare.’

‘I don’t know.’

‘You could take this Friday off, make a long weekend of it. What’s stopping you? I can cover for you on the dig, if that’s what’s worrying you. And I promise not to make any epic finds while you’re away.’

Clare had been tempted to argue. But when she’d thought about it, she’d recognised the wisdom of Jo’s words. And in the end, she’d decided to take her friend’s advice and had booked herself into a bed and breakfast on the edge of the Peak District for the weekend.

Now that all of the arrangements were in place, she was surprised at how much better she felt already. And so by the time Wednesday morning came round she was already feeling significantly more content with life as she stood surveying the cuttings, mug of lukewarm tea in hand. That is until she received her first phone call of the day.

She thrust her mobile into the pocket of her moleskins and muttered, ‘Damn,’ under her breath.

Jo stepped out of the trench and ambled across to join her. ‘What’s up?’

‘That was the solicitors.’

Jo frowned. ‘Oh. Not more bad news about Stephen?’

‘Oh, God no. Nothing like that.’ She hesitated. ‘It’s the house.’

‘What house?’ Jo looked confused. She had every right to be. Clare hadn’t shared her plans with anyone yet, not even Jo. Somewhere along the line she’d managed to convince herself that if she told anyone it might never happen.

‘The house I’m buying.’