The room wasn’t so large that James needed a microphone to make himself heard. But before speaking he raised an arm in the air to get everyone’s attention and took a deep breath.

‘I’m Detective Inspector Walker with the Cumbria Constabulary, and I’m the senior investigating officer here,’ he said. ‘I’m sorry you’ve had to wait for so long and that your movements have been somewhat restricted but it’s been necessary to take certain measures in view of what has happened.’

‘So what exactly has happened?’ someone called out. ‘We’ve been told that Rachel has been found dead. Is that true?’

‘Unfortunately, it is,’ James said. ‘Her body was found a short time ago in the lake and we have reason to believe she was murdered while standing on the jetty.’

There were gasps all round and some shouted expletives. A couple of women burst into tears and one teenage girl dressed as a bridesmaid fell to her knees and wailed hysterically.

James felt a frisson of guilt even though he was convinced that being brutally honest with them from the off was the right approach to take, especially as it was the only time he would have them all together and be able to see them react with each other.

If Rachel’s killer was among them then there was a small chance that they’d give themselves away with an awkward interaction, an out-of-place gesture, or by drawing attention to themselves in some other way.

‘We don’t believe that anyone else is presently at risk from whoever did this to Rachel,’ James continued. ‘And we’re determined to find the perpetrator. As such, it’s essential that you come forward now if any of you have any information that you think might help us as we don’t yet know if Rachel knew her assailant or if it was someone who entered the grounds uninvited through the back gate or along the shoreline.’

‘Does that mean that whoever did it to her could be here in this very room with us?’ The question came from a middle-aged man in a suit.

James pursed his lips. ‘We have to accept that it is a possibility, but let me stress again that I’m confident that no harm will come to anyone else.’

‘Well let’s hope you’re right,’ the man said.

‘We will need to take statements from everyone – guests and staff members both – to determine where each of you was when the crime was committed,’ he said. ‘At the same time, we’ll be reviewing the video footage from the hotel’s surveillance cameras and all the photographs that have been taken. I would therefore ask you to share any pictures you have on your mobile phones with my officers and flag up any that include Rachel.’

He paused for a few moments to let it sink in and then carried on.

‘Today was supposed to be a happy occasion and I completely understand how distressing this is for everyone. Please be assured that we’ll be providing you with information on how to access support in the coming days. I suspect most of you knew Rachel and some of you were no doubt very close to her. Please bear with us as we try to get to the bottom of what happened to her. I know it’s a lot to ask but we really do need your help and cooperation. And that means we will have to disturb you into the early hours as we take statements and ask questions. I’m afraid that in these unusual circumstances it can’t be avoided.’