‘I thought vegetarians didn’t eat any animal products, including eggs and dairy,’ said Marie.

Ralph sat back. ‘Not quite. People who have a totally plant-based diet are vegan. My sister is a vegan. It depends on your reasons. I chose to give up eating meat because of the way animals are factory farmed, but my mother gave me fish once a week for health reasons. I’ve kind of remained that way. My sister and I fight like cat and dog over it.’

Listening to him speak, Marie realised that she knew almost nothing about Ralph Enderby. So far, they’d had little chance to spend much time together. She hoped that would change very soon. ‘What’s your sister’s name? Is she younger or older than you?’

‘Diana. She’s two years older than me and lives in the Peak District, near Matlock. She’s an equine veterinary surgeon.’

‘She’d get on a treat with my boss,’ Marie said. ‘Jackman is horse mad, and his mother owns a livery stable.’

‘Diana’s the brains out of the two of us. Even as a kid she was really bright. Me, I’m just a plod — no degrees and no letters after my name.’

‘You haven’t done too badly, Ralph. We all have different skills.’

‘I guess if we were all geniuses it would be a weird world to live in. Diana’s amazing with animals, but she’s not exactly well-endowed with good old common sense, and she’s certainly not worldly-wise. So, yes, I suppose we all have our strengths and weaknesses. And speaking of strength, how’s Rhiannon?’

Ralph had met her mother, and Rhiannon had taken an immediate liking to him. ‘She’s just as wonderful as ever. It was so good to spend that week with her. If there’s one place that recharges my batteries, it’s in those glorious Welsh mountains with Mum.’ She then surprised herself by saying, ‘Come with me next time I go, and you’ll see what I mean.’

‘I’d love to. I’m ashamed to say I’ve never been to Wales. It was always Ireland for our holidays, as Dad had a brother out there. I think that’s where Di got her love of horses — he worked at a thoroughbred breeding stable.’

They managed to talk for a full half-hour without mentioning work, until Marie broached the subject. ‘What made you join the force, Ralph?’

‘I think it was a need to find independence, something I could be good at in my own right.’

‘Because of your sister?’ she asked.