‘Fine. But think about it. Sleep on it.’ He slams his diary closed, and I have to jam my lips together to stop myself accusing him of being in my bedroom and taking it. ‘In fact, I rather think now is the time to seriously consider selling to the developers.’ He stands and walks right up to me. He bends slightly so he is staring right into my eyes. ‘It might be your only chance of getting out of here.’

I back away from him. Adrenaline shoots through my veins. Was that a threat?

‘Today is going down as one of the most stressful,’ I say. Davina gives me a sympathetic smile.

‘I’m sorry to hear that. And I’m also really sorry for my … er … abruptness yesterday.’

‘I would offer you a coffee so we can chat about it, but I’ve got to get the boys in a minute.’

‘No worries, I just wanted you to know it wasn’t personal. I get so cranky when I’m on a deadline; always makes me a little crazy. Wayne said the way I behaved was infantile.’ Davina hangs her head. She does indeed look like a naughty child at this moment.

‘I was concerned, that’s all. I didn’t realise you had a deadline, sorry. I wouldn’t have had you chasing around after Carl if I’d known I was taking you away from your work.’

‘That wasn’t really you, though. I led that whole operation,’ she says, smiling. ‘And besides, it did me good to get out. I can’t believe Carl’s reaction to you then, by the way. I think he’s hiding more than affairs, don’t you?’

‘I don’t know, Davina. Right now, I don’t even care about Carl.’

‘Oh? Has something else happened?’ I can almost see her ears prick up in excitement.

‘I can’t say. Not yet. But yes, something else has come to light. Nothing to do with Carl.’

I find myself wanting to tell her. I know I can’t. It’s part of the police investigation now; I shouldn’t divulge the information, especially not to the village gossip. While I am trusting her with a lot, this is too big to share. But I have to give her something or she won’t stop interrogating me until I break.

‘Barb is acting peculiarly …’

‘Tell me something new!’

It’s a dumb thing to say. There’s nothing new on Barb so how can I convince Davina that something has happened without making something up? I’m about to come out with a suitable white lie when Davina carries on.

‘I told you about Barb and the postcard incident, didn’t I? She lifts one eyebrow in a high arc.

I close my eyes, dredging my memory bank. ‘No. I don’t recall it.’