Living in a house the press are hanging around, with the police omnipresent, in a village where suddenly everyone’s watching him, he’s clearly come out here to find privacy, not expecting anyone to see him. It’s understandable.

There could be any number of explanations for what I saw – and anyway, it’s none of my business. There’s every reason for his behaviour to be erratic. The death of their child breaks a parent’s belief in the order of everything. For a moment I imagine how broken-hearted he must feel. Despite the flurry of well-wishers and neighbourly support around them in these early days, in their grief, James and Stephanie are alone.

Chapter Fourteen

Jo

For the Hamptons, as for us all, it’s been over a week of waiting to find out more about how Hollie died. I try to imagine how James Hampton must be feeling. I’ve never lost a child, but I do know how it feels when the unthinkable happens and your life shatters into a million pieces. For him, however, I imagine it’s far worse.

First thing on Monday morning, I wake up to overcast skies from which the first drops of rain are falling as I get into my car. By the time I reach the office, it’s become a downpour.

Shaking the rain off my coat, I make my way to my office. I’ve been there less than five minutes when the DI calls, and my blood runs cold as he explains that the injuries to Hollie’s head don’t correspond with bruising she would have sustained from a fall.

‘We’re still checking it out, but there’s a wound to the front of her head that couldn’t possibly have come from falling against the edge of the pool. It doesn’t look like her death was an accident. You’d better get back to the Hampton house. It’s likely we’re looking for a murderer.’

Chapter Fifteen

Elise

The cause of Hollie’s death has yet to be announced, but when news of the post-mortem findings slip out, Andrew at least has the grace to call me.

‘I had a call from the coroner’s office. Apparently Hollie had injuries to her head. They’re opening a murder inquiry.’

‘God.’ Shock hits me, just as it did when her body was found, only this time, it’s laced with fear. I’d imagined Hollie missing her step, hitting her head on the side of the pool as she fell. Not someone killing her. ‘How can they be sure?’

‘There’s an injury to the side of her head, which would be likely if she’d simply fallen, but they’ve found a second. It’s most likely someone struck her with a sharp object, then she hit her head a second time as she fell into the pool. I have to go, Elise.’ He speaks coldly. ‘I have patients.’

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