Watching Snyder’s expression, Greg thought he caught the fleeting glimpse of a wry smile at Stratton’s statement, before the policeman said, ‘I disagree. You are a visitor and should have left when asked by the proprietor.’

Stratton decided to resort to threats. ‘If you don’t arrest this man for assault, I will have to speak to your superior.’

Snyder gave a brief nod. ‘You are free to do that, sir. Now, I’d like you and your group to leave these folk to get on with their private party.’

Eventually the group moved back to the vehicle and climbed in. As it took off in the direction of the Party House, Greg heard a huge cheer rise from the crowd inside the pub.

Malcolm clapped him on the shoulder. ‘Well done removing Josh from the fray. If you’d got that punch in, boy,’ he told Josh, ‘you would have been charged with assault.’

Josh looked as though he might say something, but a glance from Snyder stopped him.

Back inside, Greg headed for the bar, receiving claps on the back as he passed with a nod and a half-smile.

It was over for Josh maybe, but not for him. Stratton wasn’t one to let things go. He would pay for his insurrection in some fashion and more than likely with his job.

Snyder, entering behind Greg, followed him to the bar.

‘I’d like us to talk again tomorrow morning, Mr Taylor. Come for an interview at nine o’clock.’

‘I can’t, Inspector. I have to take my employer, Mr Stratton, and his party out stalking. If I don’t, I stand to lose my job. Especially after tonight,’ he added.

Snyder seemed to think about that for a moment before sliding his card over the counter.

‘Call me to arrange a time, Mr Taylor.’

Turning on his heel, the DI stopped on his way back to the hotel lounge and had a few quiet words with Josh. Whatever was said, Josh didn’t like it.

‘What did he say to you?’ Greg asked when Josh came for a drink.

‘He wants me for an interview tomorrow first thing.’ Josh assumed a defiant air and ordered up a pint.

Greg slid it over, gratis. ‘Thanks for doing what I’ve wanted to do for a very long time.’

As Caroline and Joanne appeared to finally start serving up the stovies, Greg asked Joanne if she’d tasted them.

‘I persuaded her to,’ Caroline said with a smile, ‘and she declared them delicious.’

The two women looked at one another and laughed.

Greg found himself uneasy at this sudden and unexpected female buddies’ routine. What was Caroline up to now?

As he concentrated on fulfilling the orders at the bar, plus accepting compliments for his handling of ‘that bastard, Stratton’, he couldn’t stop asking himself, what the hell was going on between them?