In contrast to James Hampton, Andrew Buckley’s demeanour is one of outrage when I see him later. When I walk in with the DI, he immediately gets up and starts speaking angrily. ‘As soon as I’m out of here, I will be reporting this – and all of you – for the appalling way I’ve been treated.’

The DI stands there, an imposing figure as he stares across the table at Buckley. ‘Sit down, Doctor Buckley. Before you go anywhere, we have more questions we need you to answer.’

‘I’m not saying a word until McClure gets here.’

The DI folds his arms. ‘Fair enough. In that case, we’ll wait.’

An hour passes in which I watch as Andrew Buckley starts to behave like a caged animal. Experience tells me he’s close to cracking.

As the time approaches eleven fifteen, he gets up. ‘This is ridiculous,’ he snaps, just as the door opens and McClure comes in.

‘Apologies for keeping you.’ Meeting Buckley’s eye, he takes off his jacket and sits down.

The DI shuffles the papers in front of him. ‘Right. Shall we get on with this? A question for you, Doctor Buckley. When did your affair with Stephanie Hampton begin?’

‘I can’t remember exactly.’

‘Well, give me a month – or a season, even. Spring? Summer?’

I wouldn’t mind betting Buckley knows the exact date.

‘September.’

As the DI glances at me, I catch his eye. ‘So Hollie must have made the appointment with you sometime after that, the one where she caused such a song and dance?’

‘It must have been.’ His eyes swivel between me and the DI.

‘I called your practice this morning, Doctor Buckley. According to their records, the incident with Hollie took place on the thirtieth of May.’

When he doesn’t respond, the DI leans forward. ‘I don’t think there’s any doubt that Hollie had an axe to grind, but it wasn’t about your affair with Stephanie Hampton. So my question is, what was it about? And was that the reason you killed her?’

Rigid, Andrew Buckley leans back in his chair, his arms still folded. ‘I’d like a moment with my lawyer.’

*

Outside the interview room, the DI congratulates me. ‘Nice work, May.’

‘Thank you, sir, but we still don’t know what Hollie had against him. It could be connected to Mason … There’s definitely something he’s not telling us.’

Back in the interview room, the DI gets straight to the point. ‘Doctor Buckley, I understand you often drink in the village pub with one or two other villagers. Anyone in particular?’

At this new line of questioning, Andrew Buckley appears to relax slightly. ‘Not really. There are a number of locals who I regularly see in there; James Hampton being one, as you already know.’

‘What about Julian Calder?’ The DI’s face is implacable. ‘And Philip Mason?’