‘Cranham, your department has good ties with the police, yes? That comes under your umbrella?’

He paused. I could hear him trying to work out where I might be heading.

‘It’s nothing to worry about,’ I said, brightly. ‘I’m just a bit concerned about somebody. I made a friend, you see. A nice lady who lives in the village. She’s been very helpful and I rather want to do something nice for her. She rents out a room at her house and a few months back a man came to stay. He went out walking. Birdwatching, so she thinks. He didn’t come back. I’m sure he just got called away but she’s been worried ever since and the people up here are a bit reluctant to make things official so I thought that perhaps you could see if there was anything suspicious about it? Perhaps a business that reported an employee missing?’

I could hear him frowning. ‘I’m not sure I can involve myself …’

‘She’s been such a help. I really would like to take the weight off her mind.’

‘Does she have a name for him?’

‘That’s the thing – she’s not kept very good records. She just knows that he was a middle-aged chap with a foreign accent. Maybe Swiss or German or French. And it was some time this year.’

‘That’s very vague,’ he tutted. ‘You must get a lot of people passing through. For the air base. For the spa. I can’t imagine that any of my contacts will be able to help.’

I rather enjoyed the lying. It was good to feel as though I was doing something I was good at. I hadn’t even planned the story when I made the call – I just knew my tongue would come up with something.

‘It’s lonely here, Cranham. You do so much for me and I’ll always be grateful but sometimes I need somebody to talk to. And I’m so out of practice I might say all the wrong things. All sorts of stuff might come spilling out …’

He cleared his throat. He understood.

‘I’ll certainly try, my love.’

I heard the clinking of glasses behind him. He was in a bar. People were listening. He was trying to make it sound like we were a real couple. It sounded as false as the way he spoke his vows or the kiss he gave my damp cheek when the vicar said I was his.

‘I think I’ll head back down to the village,’ I said, breezily. ‘I’ve been in and out a lot these past few days. I’m starting to get to know a few people. They’re saying kind things about Stefan. Asking after you …’

‘How lovely. Now, I suppose I must get on.’

‘Of course. How long should I give you?’

‘Oh, you just do as you will and leave it all to me.’