‘Then you should have reported it.’ Sarah was unable to keep the bitterness from her voice as she took the call on speakerphone.

‘I did, anonymously,’ Mandy replied. ‘But nobody listened. It was hard. I was a lot younger than John and completely out of my depth. He was a monster. I had to get away.’

Sarah’s anger ebbed away. She knew what it was like to be blamed for your husband’s wrongdoings. To be filled with repulsion. To have a voice that nobody wanted to hear.

‘The police were under pressure for a quick conclusion. The councillors, townspeople and businessmen were desperate to put it to bed. Nobody wanted to think they were living where evil was roaming free.’

‘I know about the development,’ Sarah said. That much, she had found out on her own. ‘John wanted my grandparents to sell the land to the Irving family.’

‘That’s right, but your grandfather wouldn’t have it. I remember how angry John was, saying his father was going to outlive them all. John was desperate for money. He was in a lot of debt. He was flash. He couldn’t bear to go broke.’ A long sigh ruffled the line. ‘To begin with, I understood. Your mum and grandmother wanted to sell it too. But your grandad wouldn’t listen, and your father said he’d support him, no matter what.’

Sarah nodded. ‘And that didn’t go down well with John.’

‘No. He couldn’t understand why his father wanted to keep the place on. But it had been in the family for generations. It clearly meant a lot to him and he was trying to turn it into something good. He told John that he was going to change his will and leave your dad the lot.’

‘I didn’t know that,’ Sarah said, sorrowfully.

‘Not only that, but one day your father would pass it to Robin, and it would stay in the Middleton family. John didn’t have children. Your grandad knew he’d sell the land off.’

Sarah exchanged a look with Richie. As they sat, side by side, he gave her a reassuring smile. Their friendship had blossomed in the last few weeks. He had been a rock to her. ‘All this time, I thought my parents were on the brink of divorce. When Granny said John was there to mediate …’

‘The only person John was interested in was himself. Your parents were close. Nothing would have parted them. They were a force to be reckoned with.’

‘And John? What was he like at home? Did he say anything?’