‘Behave! I’m behind the wheel!’ Miles turned right and pulled into Angelina Millar’s drive. ‘How long will you be with Rory, do you reckon?’

‘As long as it takes.’ Issy shrugged.

Miles got out of the car and walked round to open the passenger door. ‘I’ll have a quick word with Mrs Millar, then I have to scoot off to St Stephen’s. Can you make your own way back to the station?’

‘I suppose so,’ Issy sniffed. ‘I do so hate walking.’

Miles tapped Issy lightly on her bottom. ‘Some exercise’ll do you good,’ he teased as they walked towards the front door.

Issy rang the bell, to be greeted immediately by a pale Angelina.

‘Come in,’ she said dully. ‘Rory is up in his bedroom.’

‘Right. Shall I go and see him up there?’

Angelina nodded. ‘If you want. It’s the second door on the left.’

‘See you later, Miles.’ Issy shouted as she clomped up the stairs.

Angelina led Miles into the kitchen. She walked over to the Aga and automatically put the kettle on top of the hotplate.

‘Coffee?’

‘If you’re making some.’ DS Miles pulled out a kitchen chair and sat down. ‘Any news?’

Angelina shook her head. ‘Nothing. I’ve tried all his numbers and Stacey just called to say he’s not at work again today and . . .’ Her voice tailed off and she began to cry. ‘Sorry, I haven’t had much sleep in the past few days, one way and another.’

‘No, I’m sure you haven’t. But don’t worry, we’ll do our best to find Julian for you.’ He smiled reassuringly as Angelina set a coffee cup in front of him. ‘Thanks. Black is fine. So, could you tell me exactly where Julian was and at what time you last spoke to him?’

Angelina repeated their last conversation as accurately as she could.

‘So’ – Miles sipped his coffee – ‘Rory had never met Julian?’

‘No. I felt it was best, under the circumstances, for Rory to get over the loss of his father not being at home before I introduced him to his stepfather to be.’

‘So, you and Julian were going to get married?’

‘We were going to announce our engagement in the summer at Julian’s fortieth birthday party.’ Tears once more pricked Angelina’s eyes. ‘I was so excited about it. I’d started contacting lots of Julian’s old friends from St Stephen’s and—’

‘Your fiancé went to St Stephen’s?’

‘Yes. Coincidentally, he was in Fleat House, although Rory was down for it before I’d met Julian.’

‘Right. So who were his old friends?’

Angelina listed the names, remembering them from the emails she’d sent on the website. ‘And of course, Julian knew Sebastian Frederiks, who is now Rory’s housemaster.’ Angelina gave a thin smile. ‘Small world.’

‘In this county, it certainly seems to be. So how does Julian feel about becoming stepfather to a child he’s never met?’

‘I think he’s nervous, obviously, having never had children of his own. But he always knew Rory was part of the deal. We have a skiing holiday booked for half-term for all three of us. Julian thought it might be a good way to bond with Rory.’