He pretended to think for a bit. ‘Lord Main planned a patio area down by the loch where village folk liked to swim, but I’m not sure exactly when the slabs were laid.’

This time he was lying, hoping it didn’t show. He’d gone over this again and again in his head. The area had been prepared, a mix of soil and sand, which was why it had made such an easy grave. Much easier than digging one in the woods.

Snyder exchanged a quick glance with DS Reid.

‘Were contractors still working on the house when Ailsa disappeared?’

‘There were some changes made inside after Global Investment Holdings bought it.’ Which was true enough. ‘So it’s possible workmen were about. Although there were holidaymakers here by then. In the hotel and B&Bs round about . . . and a few folk at the campsite.’

‘Campsite?’ DS Reid said, as though that was the first she’d heard of it.

‘A spot set aside by Lord Main for wild camping along the shore from the swim area. I remember some of the campers were at the ceilidh. I was manning the bar that night with Caroline Campbell. The campsite was shut down when the new management took over. No money in it, they said.’

The interrogation was bringing those terrible times back again. Things he didn’t want to remember.

He was aware that Snyder was observing him closely. Greg imagined the blackness of his soul was being examined. Would the detective uncover the real truth of what had happened that night? So many secrets, probably better left hidden.

The sound of an argument coming from the main hall stopped whatever Snyder had been about to ask next. Rising, he said, ‘Thanks for coming in, Mr Taylor. We’ll be in touch.’

Summarily dismissed, a relieved Greg followed them out, keen himself to find out what the noise coming from the big room was all about.

Glancing in at the open door, he saw a couple of uniforms holding Josh Huntly and Finn Campbell apart. Something had made Caroline’s normally mild-mannered younger brother really angry with Josh. He wondered what that might be.

Finn wasn’t one of Josh’s gang, although Greg thought they were friendly enough, in a distant sort of a way. Hence, he was pretty certain Finn hadn’t featured among the crew that had wrecked the hot tub that fateful night.

Of the two, Finn’s face was definitely the most furious. If Greg had been asked who among the village lads might take a potshot at Josh Huntly, he would never have chosen Finn.

Yet here he was, being prevented by the police from landing one on Josh.

What on earth had provoked him to behave like that?

Catching Finn’s eye, Greg shook his head, trying to get over the message that this wouldn’t help anyone, least of all Finn.