‘Then let’s get going,’ James said. ‘First take me to the jetty and then I’ll speak to the family and the hotel manager.’

CHAPTER FOUR

As soon as James stepped out onto the rear terrace, he realised why The Fells Hotel was such a popular venue for weddings. It provided an idyllic romantic backdrop for couples who wanted their day to be really special.

The landscaped gardens sloped gently towards the shoreline and the parts of the lake that he could see shimmered beneath a star-studded sky. Solar lanterns were spread among colourful herbaceous borders and along the pathways that criss-crossed the frost-covered lawns, lending an ethereal glow to the scene.

‘There’s a rear entrance to the grounds through the perimeter fence beyond that line of trees,’ Abbott said, pointing to the right of them. ‘It provides access to the hotel from a field that’s used as an overflow car park on occasions when the place is really busy, such as now. The manager told me that it isn’t covered by CCTV, but it is manned by a member of staff.’

‘Then we need to establish whether or not it was left unattended at any point during the reception,’ James said. ‘Are there any other entry points?’

‘Only via the lake and the shoreline,’ Abbott replied. ‘Guests occasionally arrive by boat and disembark at the jetty.’

The hotel was positioned about two hundred yards back from the lake and a raw wind whipped at their faces as they walked towards it. Ahead of them and to either side, shadowy figures moved around, shining torches at the ground and into bushes.

‘Rachel’s friends and family are refusing to give up hope,’ Abbott said. ‘That’s why they’re determined to carry on with the search. But it does make it difficult for us to talk to them.’

‘Do you know her well yourself?’ James asked.

Abbott shook her head. ‘I was expecting to meet her for the first time today, but I didn’t get the chance.’

‘Where does she live?’

‘In Bowness with her parents. The family used to live in Kirkby Abbey apparently.’

‘I’ve never heard their names mentioned.’

‘I’m guessing it was quite a long time ago.’

‘What about Libby and Greg?’

‘Greg has a large house in Burnside. He was married once before, when he was in his twenties, but it only lasted a few years. According to Sean, Libby moved in with him about six months ago. Before that she lived in a rented flat in Kendal. And they’ve been together just over a year.’

‘Tell me about Greg.’

Abbott shrugged. ‘I’d never met him before today and he struck me as quite pleasant when we were introduced. He has a fearsome reputation as a hard-nosed businessman and boss, but Sean reckons that a lot of what he says and does is just for show. Greg’s late father apparently drummed it into him that to be successful he needed to be ruthless.’

‘Do we know what Rachel does for work?’