‘We went to Deeprose House once. It was a while before she disappeared. We were only there a few minutes and we didn’t do anything. I told Hollie I didn’t think we should be there.’ Niamh looks at me. ‘I’ve told you … I really don’t know anything else. I wish I’d gone to school that day.’

‘Hollie could be very persuasive,’ I tell DS May and Sergeant Collins.

‘So it seems. What was it about the house through the woods that made Hollie want to take you there?’ DS May’s voice is gentler as she addresses Niamh.

Niamh’s silent for a moment. ‘She didn’t say. And there wasn’t anything to see there.’ She shrugs. ‘It was just a house.’

‘Can you describe it?’

‘It was big.’ Niamh frowns. ‘The garden was massive. Hollie said you could see our house from there – but I couldn’t.’

DS May makes a note. ‘You’re sure?’ When Niamh nods, she goes on. ‘Can you remember anything unusual about it?’

‘Not really. Only that it seemed really big. Otherwise it was like the other houses around here.’

DS May changes track. ‘Hollie always came here, didn’t she? Rather than you going to her house?’

‘Hollie’s father works from home,’ I supply. ‘The girls weren’t bothering anyone here – both Andrew and I are out most days.’

She turns her attention to me. ‘How often are you away, Mrs Buckley?’

Her scrutiny makes me uncomfortable. ‘It varies. Mostly, my flights are short haul. Sometimes I’m away overnight, but it’s rare.’

‘I see.’ Nodding, she goes on. ‘And what about the Monday, the day before Hollie disappeared? Did you see her?’

I watch as Niamh starts.

‘I think I was working. I need to check my flight schedule again.’ Getting up, I go to get my phone, clicking on my calendar. ‘I had an eight thirty check-in for a flight to Malaga. I would have left the house by six thirty and got home around five that evening.’

‘Could you send us a copy of your schedule for our records? That way, we can rule out the need to question you further.’

I realise that everyone is potentially a suspect at this stage but with the spotlight turned on me, I feel uneasy. ‘Yes. Of course. You’re questioning everyone in the village, I assume?’

DS May leans forward. ‘Yes, Mrs Buckley. Until Hollie’s murderer is found, we will continue talking to everyone in this village and in her life. Somebody, somewhere, must know something.’

Her words make me uncomfortable. Both Stephanie and I are keeping information from the police, information they need. Hollie’s funeral is two days away. Two days – after that, I’ll tell them everything.

DS May turns to Niamh again. ‘We have about an hour of daylight. Can you try to take us to the house Hollie took you to?’

*