‘Did you mention this to anyone before now?’

She shook her head. ‘She asked me not to, and I wouldn’t be telling you if …’ Emily lost it then and started sobbing. Thankfully, DC Abbott was on hand to put an arm around her.

‘That’s all for now, Miss Straus,’ James said. ‘Are you here with someone?’

‘No. I came by myself. But I do have a room.’

‘Then I suggest you go there and try to get some rest. You’ve been most helpful.’

Abbott signalled for one of the uniforms to accompany Emily to her room.

James then raised his voice to grab the attention of everyone else again.

‘It’s time for those of you who are staying here to return to your rooms,’ he said. ‘At some point in the coming hours you’ll be visited by an officer who will take down your statement and ask you some questions. Those who are not staying here should make themselves known to one of my officers who will speak to you before you go home. The same applies to staff members. It’s necessary for us to interview all the individuals who were on the premises when the attack on Rachel Elliott took place. But to make things quicker and more straightforward, family groups and couples can provide joint statements.’

As the guests started trooping forlornly out of the Garden Room, Erika Chan informed him that all but a couple of them had rooms to go to.

‘Mr Murphy’s offer of free accommodation was taken up by virtually everyone,’ she said.

‘Of course,’ James said. ‘I need to know – did you yourself speak to Rachel at any time during the day?’

‘The only time I spoke to her was when she arrived with her sister and the other bridesmaids on Friday,’ she said. ‘I got them together in the lounge for a talk through of the schedule and then gave them a tour of the hotel.’

‘And how did she seem then?’

‘In pretty high spirits, as I recall. They all were. And I believe they all went to bed quite late after a few drinks in the bar. The next time I saw Rachel was when she walked down the aisle during the ceremony. After that, I don’t recall seeing her at all. I think if she had spent much time in the Garden Room during the reception, I wouldn’t have been able to miss her in that lovely pink dress she was wearing.’

‘Thank you. Miss Cornwall has given us a list of guests and it would be useful if you could break it down into couples, families and singles for us.’

‘The majority are here as couples who are friends and work colleagues of Mr and Mrs Murphy,’ she said. ‘There are a few families and I believe about fifteen people who came alone. Mr and Mrs Murphy decided they didn’t want any children to attend, which is the reason that several people turned down invitations.’

‘And as a matter of interest, who from Mr Murphy’s family is here?’