As Adele talked, a picture of a privileged and rather spoilt teenager began to emerge.

‘I couldn’t have any more children so I suppose in a way it’s natural we overindulged him.’

‘Did he and his father see eye to eye?’

‘William was disappointed Charlie never shone academically. Not getting into Eton was a big blow. He always thought Charlie was just lazy.’ Adele sighed. ‘Perhaps he was. Charlie managed to get by on charm. He loved sport and channelled his energy into his social life and having a good time. In a way, I’m glad he did now.’

‘So, there was some tension between Charlie and his father?’

‘Charlie wanted to go to Marlborough, where many of his prep-school chums were going, but William refused. He felt it was too progressive. If you want the truth, I rather think William sent him to St Stephen’s as a punishment for not getting into Eton. I was happy enough; I was born and brought up in Norfolk. It’s a decent enough school, but I accept it’s not in the same league as some of the others.’

‘Do you think Charlie was happy there?’ asked Jazz.

‘Not particularly, no.’ Adele sighed. ‘He felt like a failure from the moment he got there. When he came home for Christmas – the last time I saw him – he told me he couldn’t wait to leave.’

‘Was he going to try for university?’

‘Yes, although . . .’ Adele put her hand to her brow. ‘God, this is difficult. William and Charlie had a blow-up just before he went back to school for the Lent term. Charlie wanted to take a gap year, like everyone does these days, and because he wasn’t sure exactly what he wanted to do, he thought he might delay his applications for a year until he came back.’

‘Until he’d some idea of a career path?’ Jazz prompted.

‘Exactly. William saw red and accused Charlie of being a layabout. He’d always assumed Charlie would follow him into the law, but Charlie was having none of it.’

‘And was the argument resolved before Charlie went back to school, three weeks ago?’

‘No.’ Adele shook her head. ‘I’m afraid it wasn’t. William insisted he wouldn’t pay for a gap year if Charlie didn’t get a place at a university before he left. I took Charlie back to school at the beginning of January.’ Adele studied her hands. ‘His father hasn’t spoken to him since.’

‘Your husband must be very upset, under the circumstances?’

‘I’m sure he is; not that you’d know it.’ Adele looked up at Jazz. ‘Stiff upper lip and all that. But, underneath it all, I know he loved Charlie to bits. They were very similar: strong willed and single-minded. That’s probably why they fought so much.’

‘And when you took Charlie back to school, how did he seem?’

‘Quieter than usual, naturally.’

‘Mrs Cavendish, this is a horrible question to have to ask . . .’ Jazz spoke slowly. ‘But given the argument between father and son, plus the fact you say Charlie felt like a failure, in your opinion, is there any chance that Charlie might have deliberately taken his own life?’