‘It is. We’ve lived here for thirty-four years,’ she replies with a satisfied smile. ‘Wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. My son keeps telling us to sell up and get somewhere smaller and more manageable, but I love this road. And it’s so handy for the shops.’

‘I don’t blame you. I wouldn’t want to move either if I lived on this street.’

‘Are you local?’ Her eyes narrow and she looks me up and down.

‘Used to be. I’m in Dorset now.’

‘Now that’s a lovely county – used to go there as a child on holiday. What brings you back to London? Visiting friends?’

‘Well, it’s a bit awkward.’

‘Oh yes?’ Her eyes widen in anticipation of what I’m about to say. I notice her coral lipstick has bled into the little corrugated-cardboard lines around her mouth.

Taking advantage of her eagerness, I ask, ‘It’s about the family who used to live opposite – the Morrises. Did you know them?’

‘Kate and Shaun? Yes. Terrible business, all that.’

It sounds like I might have hit the jackpot with this older lady. Her eyes are bright and alert now, like she’s itching to indulge in a bit of gossip.

‘Well…’ I lower my voice for dramatic effect. ‘They’ve moved to Dorset and now they live next door to me.’

‘Do they now? I wondered where they’d gone. Didn’t leave a forwarding address. I suppose they didn’t want any disgruntled contractors and clients following them. One day they were here, the next they were gone. Did you know their house was repossessed? The new owners got a bit of a bargain, I hear.’

‘I didn’t know that.’

She nods sagely, crossing her arms as though settling in for a good, long chat, the insistent drizzle not putting her off one bit. ‘Yes. I always thought Kate was a bit stuck-up. Seemed all right to begin with – the two of them came and introduced themselves when they moved in, must be seven or eight years ago now – but they never really took the time to stop and be friendly. I mean, good manners cost nothing. We’re a little community round here, but she never wanted to be part of it. We were lucky if we got so much as a nod from her. Shaun was a bit more approachable, but then we all know where he ended up. Melanie in number fifty, she’s another snooty one. You were just round there a minute ago, weren’t you?’

‘Uh, yes.’ I need to steer her back to the Morrises. ‘But I was actually hoping to find out about Shaun.’

‘Oh?’ She folds her arms across her chest and purses her lips. ‘Find out what exactly? I don’t really like to talk about other people’s business, you know.’

‘Of course not, it’s just…’ I pause.

‘Just what?’