‘A man named Roger Hereward. I saw them together once or twice, but I never let on, not to anyone. He’s married too, with three kiddies. I haven’t seen Roger around for ages, and now I come to think of it, I never saw him again after she disappeared from Connaught Road. Rather points in one direction, doesn’t it?’

‘Very much so,’ said Gary. ‘Now, if you would just show us her old house, we’ll leave you in peace.’

They walked almost the length of the street before Lizzie stopped. ‘This was it. I’m afraid I don’t know who lives there now, it’s changed hands twice since Andi left. I suspect it’s a rental these days.’

They thanked her and she trotted off home.

‘The old lady with the mobility scooter sounds promising,’ Gary said.

Kevin agreed. Before they left, they rang the bell of number thirty-two.

The door was opened by a middle-aged woman with a pronounced Eastern European accent. Kevin’s heart sank. Whichever Baltic country this woman came from, one thing they all shared was a profound dislike of the police. The friendly neighbourhood bobby was unheard of in Eastern Europe.

He smiled at her and showed his warrant card. ‘I’m sorry to trouble you, madam. We’re from Saltern CID. We’re trying to trace a woman who lived at this address a while ago, and we wondered if you could help us. Her name is Andrea Becker.’

The woman looked from his card to his face. ‘I am sorry. I rent this house from my cousin. I know no one who was here before.’

Kevin knew a lost cause when he saw one. He thanked her and they left. ‘One last try next door then it’s off to Cedar Lodge. You okay with that, Gary?’

‘Yup. You take the left and I’ll do the right.’

The houses at this end of the road were pretty standard three-bed semi-detacheds. All were fairly well kept, with the exception of the old Becker house, which looked shabby by comparison. Kevin opened the gate to a very neat front garden, full of healthy-looking shrubs, along with various bird feeders and water bowls. He saw that the house had a name — Robbin’s Nest, with two “b”s.

A grey-haired man opened the door and greeted him with a smile. ‘Are you from the council?’

‘Sorry, sir, no. The police.’ Kevin offered his card.

‘Oh, fine. Well, how can I help?’

‘We’re looking to trace a woman called Andrea Becker, sir. She lived next door a few years back, and we’re anxious to find her.’

The man’s smile disappeared. ‘Oh. Her.’

Kevin saw Gary coming through the gate. No luck at his house, obviously.

‘This is my colleague, sir. May we come in?’ Kevin asked politely.