The driveway was lined with trees and the gardens on either side were consumed by darkness. The hotel, by contrast, was brightly lit and James could see that two more patrol cars and a forensic van were parked in front of it.

He pulled to a stop, switched off the engine, and took a few moments to make a mental note of the scene.

The building ahead of him was a three-storey Edwardian structure with steps leading up to the entrance and lots of windows. Off to the left was the guest car park, which looked to be full, and to the right a white-framed conservatory that appeared to house a swimming pool. It was much like many of the hotels in this part of the world – classy yet traditional, and designed to appeal to people with deep pockets.

James took out his phone and called DC Abbott to let her know that he had arrived.

‘I’ll meet you in reception, guv,’ she said when she answered.

The reception area was smaller than he’d expected it to be and it was crammed with people and a large glittering Christmas tree. Uniformed police officers and staff members were doing their best to address the concerns of the smartly attired guests who all looked anxious and confused. James wondered how much they knew. Were they aware that items belonging to the missing maid-of-honour had been found on the hotel’s private jetty? And that it was now highly unlikely that she would be found safe and well?

He looked around for Abbott as he moved slowly towards the reception desk, at the same time taking in his surroundings.

There was a wide, open staircase and a high-beamed ceiling from which hung glowing decorations. Framed paintings of Lake Windermere adorned the walls and through an arched doorway James could see a large lounge with armchairs, sofas and low tables.

The place had been decked out to a high standard for the wedding and New Year’s Eve celebrations, but the joyous atmosphere that it would have conjured up had been well and truly trashed.

As James approached the reception desk, he felt someone tug at his arm and turned to see DC Abbott standing at his side.

‘I’m glad you managed to get here so quickly, guv,’ she said. ‘This is not an easy situation to control.’

Abbott was one of the best officers on the team. She was smart, savvy and easy to work with, and he realised that this was the first time he’d seen her appear even slightly rattled. Her features were taut and her voice stretched with shock.

It was also the first time he’d seen her in anything other than a work suit, or casual clothes. She was wearing a low-cut red dress beneath a black overcoat that hung open, and like all the other wedding guests, had clearly been hoping to have a fun time.

‘I’m afraid things haven’t changed,’ she said. ‘Rachel still hasn’t turned up and it’s a mystery as to what might have happened to her. Meanwhile, word has got around that something belonging to her has been found down by the lake and everyone is jumping to the conclusion that she’s drowned.’