‘Don’t worry.’ Angelina led Issy across the hall and into the kitchen. Issy headed straight for the Aga and placed her hands on the warming plate.

‘Think I can forget about making it back to London tonight.’

‘Yes, the snow’s really coming down now.’ Angelina gazed absent-mindedly out of the window as she placed Issy’s coat over the Aga rail. A sudden feeling of fear filled her. What if Julian had had an accident? Crashed in the snow on his way home to the flat last night?

‘Would you mind?’

Angelina forced her mind back and stared at Issy, who was indicating the cafetière.

‘Sorry. Of course, I’ll make you a fresh one. That will have gone cold.’

Angelina filled the kettle and put it on to boil.

‘How is Rory? May I call you Angelina?’

‘Yes.’

‘And call me Issy, everyone else does.’

‘Rory didn’t have a good night. I heard him crying out, but when I went in to see him, he was still asleep. He was having a nightmare. I sat on his bed stroking his forehead. I don’t think he knew I was there.’

‘Did you ask him this morning what the dream was about?’

‘No. I didn’t want to bring it up.’

‘Nightmares are healthy things in any case, though not particularly pleasant. It’s the subconscious mind working its way through problems or fears and trying to rationalise them, helping the person cope.’

‘I see.’

Angelina didn’t really. She was still thinking about Julian as she spooned the coffee into the glass jug.

‘Strong as you like,’ Issy indicated, sitting down in a chair at the table. ‘Has Rory said much about his time with his father? What they talked about, for example?’

‘I haven’t wanted to bring David’s name into the conversation. I thought it might only upset Rory further. How a child copes with the fact that his father is a murderer, I just don’t know.’ Angelina placed the cafetière, a mug and milk and sugar in front of Issy. ‘Please, help yourself.’

Issy looked up at her. ‘Just because someone confesses to the crime, that doesn’t always mean to say they committed it. You were closer to David than anyone. What do you make of it?’ She poured the hot coffee into her mug.

‘I was amazed. And horrified. I told Inspector Hunter I just couldn’t believe David would knowingly kill someone.’

‘Even if he knew the person concerned had been responsible for hurting his son?’

‘I can see him reacting, yes, but . . .’ Angelina looked suspiciously at Issy. ‘How come you know all this? I thought you were a child counsellor?’

‘I am, but as the police will have explained I’m also a criminal psychologist. In that capacity, I interviewed Rory’s father last night.’ Issy sipped her coffee. ‘God, that’s good. The stuff I’ve been drinking at the police station is rank.’

‘I just don’t know what to believe any more.’ Angelina rubbed her forehead in confusion. ‘Does the inspector think David did it? I did tell her David was allergic to aspirin. He’d never have bought any for himself. The tablets would have killed him too.’