‘And was that the last time you saw her?’

Another nod. ‘I don’t know where she went after that, but when she didn’t take her seat at the top table for the meal, I took it to mean that she’d either got legless and passed out or was hiding somewhere to get at me.’

‘And why would she have wanted to get at you?’

‘Well, I’m sure my parents have already told you that she wasn’t happy that I was getting married here in the hotel and that she didn’t want to be my maid-of-honour. And it gives me no pleasure to tell you that my sister has always felt hard done by. She’s said more than once that she resents the fact that good things always seem to happen to me and not to her.’

People often thought of sibling rivalry as a childhood phenomenon, but James knew that adult sibling envy was just as common – and far more dangerous. It could bring out the worst in people and sour relationships to the point where one couldn’t bear the idea of their sibling being successful or even happy.

‘Are you aware that shortly before you talked to Libby in the bar she’d been in her room with a man?’ James asked Libby. ‘We believe they’d had an argument, which might account for why she appeared upset.’

Libby cocked her head on one side and frowned. ‘No, I wasn’t aware of that. Who was he?’

‘We’re still trying to find out. We know he has a beard and spoke Italian.’

Her frown deepened. ‘We didn’t invite any bearded Italians to the wedding. Could he be one of the staff?’

‘Not according to the manager. None of her team has a beard.’

Libby raised a finger as though a thought had occurred to her. ‘Actually, Rachel did ask me a few days ago if she could invite another friend. She’d already invited two of her mates who I’ve also known for years. But we’d had a couple of people pull out at the last minute so I said no problem. It was the least I could do since she’d finally agreed to be my maid-of-honour.’

‘Did she give you a name?’

‘I asked her and she said she hadn’t decided who it would be, or if it was a guy or a girl.’

James turned his attention back to the parents who’d been listening intently to their daughter. Their faces were as grey as headstones and sheer terror was carved into their features.

‘I think it’s best if you all remain here for the time being,’ he said. ‘I’ll make sure you’re the first to know if there are any developments.’

‘But shouldn’t we be out there looking for our daughter along with everyone else?’ Fraser said.

James shook his head. ‘We’re encouraging the guests to come in from the grounds, Mr Elliott. We need to limit the number of people outside so that the search effort isn’t hampered in any way.’