‘It was dead straight, and I felt he should have been face down.’ Her mother had been thinking the same thing earlier.

‘But surely if he took a step backwards. . . ?’ She closed her eyes wishing she hadn’t heard what her grandmother had said.

‘Then I don’t think he would have landed where he did.’

‘Oh, but that doesn’t mean he was murdered, does it?’ Her grandmother’s words echoed in her mind as she turned around. Alex was pacing in front of Gramps outside now.

‘There were other footprints there.’ He coughed.

‘I’m sure it was a popular place.’ She looked at the framed pictures of her as a child on the desk.

‘Yes and no . . .’

She took a deep breath.

‘But that wasn’t what I remembered.’

She frowned, looking at the shelves lining the north wall. So many books on camellias and gardening in general. ‘What was it?’

‘Jacob, the fisherman, said Mr Trewin was clutching a silk bow in his hands when he found him.’

‘A tie?’

‘No, like it came off a woman’s dress.’

She went cold. ‘What colour?’

‘Like the blue of the sea on a perfect summer’s day.’

‘That’s rather poetic,’ She said, thinking of the beautiful aqua silk dress she’d seen in the closet.

‘Well, that’s how Jacob described it.’

‘What happened to it?’

‘It had disappeared by the time the body was taken from the beach.’

Lottie let that sink in and didn’t like where her thoughts were heading. ‘Was it ever found?’

‘No and they had to dismiss it because Jacob couldn’t be certain.’ He coughed again. ‘Now tell your mother what I remembered.’

‘I will, but just one more question if you don’t mind?’

‘Of course.’

‘Was my mother interviewed?’ She ran her fingers over the battered leather on the desk top.

‘Yes, yes she was. She was very distressed, poor thing.’

‘Understandable. Thank you, Mr Treneer.’

She put the phone down then headed outside to Gramps and Alex. As she approached, they stopped talking. She slowed her steps waiting for them to resume but they didn’t. ‘Where’s Mum gone?’

‘She wanted a walk.’

‘Really?’ The sky was dark, and a few stars shone above.

‘We were thinking of a cognac,’ Alex stood.

‘Gran loved it.’ Lottie sat next to her grandfather.

‘Yes.’ Gramps half smiled.

‘It doesn’t feel real that we’re losing her.’ She took his hand in hers.

‘I wish it wasn’t happening.’ His voice wavered. ‘I always thought I would go first.’

‘I’ll grab some glasses and the bottle.’ Alex said as he went towards the house.

‘Gramps?’

‘Yes?’

‘Gran said something . . . odd today.’

He took a deep breath and his chest wheezed. ‘My darling girl, she isn’t very well, I don’t think we can rely on her words any more.’

‘I know but it was troubling her.’