As we turn into the village, I slow down but only slightly. When we turn into the Buckleys’ drive, I see both cars parked side by side. From the outside, it’s the picture of a normal, well-to-do family home. But as we reach the back door, it’s anything but. The sound of loud voices comes to me as I turn to Sarah. ‘Check that Emerson’s on his way.’ Then I knock. ‘Doctor Buckley? Mrs Buckley? It’s DS May.’

The shouting instantly subsides. Andrew Buckley opens the door about half a minute later, his features arranged into an air of artificial calm, but his eyes are filled with anger. ‘What is it, Detective Sergeant?’

‘We’d like to come in. If you wouldn’t mind …’ I take a step forward, but he blocks the doorway.

‘As a matter of fact, I do mind.’ His eyes glint dangerously. ‘My wife isn’t at all well. I’m trying my best to help her, but you lot turning up makes it all far worse.’

From behind him, Elise’s thin, desperate voice reaches me. ‘It’s OK, Andrew. I can talk to them.’

He briefly turns to glance at her. ‘There is no need.’

Just then, Emerson’s car turns up. I wait for him and another uniformed officer to join us at the door. ‘We’d like to talk to you, Doctor Buckley – at the station.’ Emerson holds his gaze.

He glares at Emerson, then turns to me, suddenly flinging the door open in a dramatic gesture and standing back. As I pass him, he mutters, ‘You have no idea what’s going on here.’

Ignoring him, I go through to the kitchen, aware of the others behind me. Elise looks terrified and her bruising has taken on a purple hue. I try to make eye contact, but she turns away.

‘Now, what’s all this about?’ Trying to sound vaguely amiable, Andrew Buckley attempts to bluff his way out.

‘We have concerns about your wife’s safety, Doctor Buckley,’ Sergeant Collins says calmly.

‘There’s absolutely no need. There’s been a misunderstanding, hasn’t there, Elise? My wife has difficulty distinguishing between fantasy and reality, ladies.’ His patronising tone makes my spine prickle. ‘Her problems started when our son died.’ He lowers his voice. ‘We’re doing our best to overcome them, but as I said, this constant police questioning really doesn’t help.’

‘That isn’t true.’ As Elise speaks up, I recognise the courage it has taken to do this. ‘There is no misunderstanding, Andrew. You did this.’ As she points to her face, the blood drains from his.