‘Morning, Marie. You look ready for anything.’

She grinned at him. ‘As always. It’s one of my finest attributes. I must say, I’m surprised he was back on the prowl after the previous night. I assumed he’d back off and regroup. He’s certainly a very cool customer.’

‘He is indeed. I didn’t expect to be chasing after him this soon. Shall we go in?’ He directed his gaze to number three. ‘Nice, neat, little house. Does she live here alone?’

‘Yes. She’s divorced, so she could be your Bob Harper’s ex. Anyway, we’ll soon find out.’

The front door was opened before they got to it. ‘DI Jackman and DS Marie Evans of Saltern-le-Fen CID, Mrs Harper. Can we come in, please?’

She looked at their warrant cards and held the door wide. ‘With pleasure. I must admit I’ve been in shock.’

They followed her through to the lounge, where she offered them seats facing an expensive sofa. Jackman noted the neatness of the room, the tasteful decor and several beautiful orchids adorning the fireplace and windowsill. No children or animals.

‘Are you up to telling us what happened, Mrs Harper?’ Jackman asked gently.

‘There’s not much to tell,’ she managed in a shaky voice, ‘other than that some . . . pervert got into my house last night.’

Marie rose and sat close to her on the sofa. ‘There’s no rush. Why not let me make you a cup of tea and we’ll take it slowly.’

‘Would you? I was shaking so much that I didn’t trust myself to pick up the kettle.’

‘Of course. You just sit there, I won’t be long. Kitchen straight through?’

Fleur nodded. ‘Everything’s out on the work surface near the kettle. Just milk for me.’

Jackman smiled at her. ‘Do you mind if I ask whether you were married to Bob Harper?’

‘Yes. Bob and I divorced a couple of years ago. We’re still in touch, for Jason’s sake. That’s our son.’

‘And Jason’s with your husband?’ Jackman asked.

‘He is, although I have him every other weekend. Bob remarried and lives in Greenborough now, with his new wife.’ Jackman gathered this was an amicable arrangement.

‘I knew him in passing. I live in the village too.’

She smiled faintly. ‘I know. Mill Corner, yes? I know Hetty and Len Maynard.’

‘Most people do,’ he said cheerfully. The Maynards, an old local family, looked after him — cleaning, gardening and doing any other odd jobs that came up. Jackman couldn’t have done without them, especially Hetty’s wonderful home-cooked meals when he worked late. What’s more, Hetty Maynard knew everyone in the village and what they got up to, and wasn’t afraid to share her knowledge with him. If Fleur Harper was a bit reticent, he’d soon get the info from Hetty.

‘I didn’t take my husband leaving me very well, DI Jackman. I had a kind of breakdown, so we felt it best, for Jason’s sake, that he went with his father for a while. I was in no fit state to care for him properly. He’s eleven now, but he’d only just turned nine when Bob left me. It wouldn’t have been fair on him, and I love him dearly.’ She swallowed. ‘Bob and I have agreed that when he’s older, he can choose which one of us he would like to live with, and the other won’t object. None of it was his fault, and we’ve tried to make the split as easy as we can on him.’