Judith unlocked the front door, opened it and ushered Suzie in.

Becks still hovered on the doorstep.

‘I don’t think I can spare the time,’ she said.

‘Just one drink, and then I’ll let you get on your way. Come on, think what we’ve been through tonight, we’ve earned it.’

Becks realised it would almost certainly take longer to convince Judith that she had to leave than it would to have the quickest of quick drinks and then depart.

‘Okay,’ she said with her best vicar’s wife’s smile. ‘If you insist. One small drink, then I’ll be on my way.’

‘Bravo!’

Following Becks inside, Judith found Suzie standing by the grand piano, agog.

‘Bloody hell, you must be minted,’ she said.

‘I think you can guess from the state of the fabric that I’m not, as you say, “minted”,’ Judith said with a laugh as she went over to her drinks table and blew dust out of two extra cut-glass tumblers, lined them up with her regular glass, and poured three stiff measures of whisky.

‘Even so, this house must be worth millions.’

Judith couldn’t help but find Suzie’s manner a breath of fresh air.

‘I’ve no idea what it’s worth,’ she said, heading over with two drinks. ‘I inherited it from my great aunt.’

‘Didn’t she have any children of her own?’

‘Fortunately for me, no. She never married. So I was like the daughter she never had. Now, I strongly suggest you have these,’ Judith said, holding up the two glasses.

‘Is that whisky?’ Becks asked, her forehead creasing.

‘I think, when it’s as cheap as this, it’s better to call it “Scotch”.’

‘Oh well, thank you, but I’d rather have a glass of water. Or herbal tea if you have any. At this time of night.’

‘I think we can agree we need something a bit stiffer than tea.’

‘I’m with you there,’ Suzie said, taking the glass and knocking it back in one, wincing as the drink burnt into her chest, and then she smiled.

‘Now that hits the spot,’ she said in appreciation.

While Suzie went over to the sideboard to return the glass, Becks finally took a tiny sip from her glass before rubbing at her lips with her fingers.

‘It’s better if you don’t let it touch your lips,’ Judith said. ‘It stings less.’

‘Sorry, is your toilet through here?’ Suzie said, indicating the oak door to the side of the drinks table.

Before Judith could stop her, Suzie tried to push the door open, but it was locked.

‘That door’s locked,’ Judith said with a polite smile.

‘Why?’ Suzie said, laughing. ‘Is that where you keep the dead bodies?’