‘You are. But Madeline can be insecure and, given her circumstances, I think she might be a little jealous of your marriage, what with the anniversary party and everything. Give her some time. She’ll be fine.’

I guess that makes sense, but instead of putting my mind at ease, Celia has set it racing again. Could Madeline’s so-called jealousy have driven her to do something awful, like try to get closer to Toby? Or am I letting my imagination run away with me?

‘She was fine with me at our taster lunch last week.’

‘Yes, you’re right, she was,’ Celia muses. ‘Well, I’m sure whatever the problem is, it won’t last. You girls will make it up. After all, you’re family. And Madeline’s very fond of you, no matter how she might be acting at the moment.’

I wish I could ask Celia to have a word with her, but that doesn’t seem fair. Maybe she will anyway, without me having to ask. ‘Thanks. I hope you’re right.’

‘Of course I am,’ she replies jokily. ‘You know, maybe this isn’t anything to do with you at all. Maybe she’s just worried about the appeal to stop the redevelopment. I know she’s been worrying a lot about it recently.’

‘Maybe.’ But I sense that Madeline’s problem has nothing to do with the appeal. It’s something more. Something personal. I suppose I should be relieved that Celia doesn’t know why Madeline’s been acting strangely. It means my mother-in-law isn’t involved in whatever’s going on.

‘Here we are.’ Celia flicks on the indicator. It’s only taken a few minutes to drive to the police station. I stare out of the windscreen in dismay. It’s bucketing down outside. Grey sheets of water sluice the exterior of Celia’s Smart car, running in rivulets down the icy pavement. ‘I hope that lot doesn’t freeze later,’ she comments, eyeing the weather through narrowed eyes while she swings expertly into a narrow parking space outside the station.

‘I think this space is for police cars only. The visitor car park is over there.’ I point to a large empty lot a few yards away.

‘Yes, but it’s pouring, Zoe. We’ll get drenched if we park so far away. We won’t be long. It’ll be fine, come on.’

I feel guilty for dragging her out in this vile weather with me. ‘You really don’t have to come in. Why don’t you wait in the car, stay dry?’

‘I don’t mind coming to give you some moral support. Make sure they take you seriously. Don’t want them fobbing you off like last time.’

We make a run for it, dashing up the ramp and into the drab brick building.