When it’s time for the eulogy, James stands up. You could hear a pin drop as he walks to the front of the church and talks about the pain of losing the daughter he’ll always miss, then asks for everyone to be patient and give them time to grieve. His eyes flicker over the congregation, pausing on me. In that second, I know Stephanie’s told him that she confided in me.

Whatever the circumstances, whatever wrong James may have done, I can’t help but imagine how he’s feeling today. Around me, the service leaves no-one unmoved – well, almost no-one. To my right, Andrew is tall and sombre in his black suit and tie, an expression of sorrow on his face that only I know he isn’t capable of feeling. As I glance at Niamh’s fair head on my other side, there’s a lump in my throat as I wish yet again that I could protect her from all of this.

*

As everyone files outside after the funeral, I see DS May and Sergeant Collins standing together on the fringes of the small crowd. On the other side of the churchyard are two more uniformed officers. Whether they’re expecting trouble and playing it safe, or merely observing us, their presence is nonetheless unnerving.

While Andrew plays the concerned mourner, I pause, watching DS May’s eyes fix on James, with his head bowed and shoulders slumped, before her gaze moves to Stephanie, with her hair newly coloured and wearing an understated navy dress, as she stands at her husband’s side. Despite her confession to me, it doesn’t at all look like she’s about to leave him.

Della walks towards me. ‘God-awful day, isn’t it, Elise?’ Leaning forward, she kisses me on both cheeks. ‘Sorry I missed you when you came round. Julian was a bit worried, actually. He said he thought you were upset.’

‘It was one of those days,’ I say evasively. ‘I can’t even remember what was going through my mind. You’re right, though. Today’s a terrible day. It doesn’t get much worse.’

Della gives me an odd look. ‘Are you coming to the pub? James and Stephanie have invited everyone.’

I shake my head. ‘I don’t think so.’ After the funeral, the last thing I feel like doing is being in a crowded pub with people I don’t want to talk to. Across the churchyard, I catch sight of Phil Mason – the man James was speaking to at the service two Sundays ago – now talking to someone I don’t know. Then I notice James glance towards Mason, his face clouding over as he takes Stephanie’s arm and steers her away.

It could be something or nothing, but James clearly doesn’t want anything to do with Mason. ‘James doesn’t seem too pleased to see Phil Mason. Do you know him?’