He’d been unsure about their move to Cumbria just over two years ago, fearing the quiet life wouldn’t suit him. But despite a difficult start he’d settled well into his role as a detective inspector at police HQ in Kendal. And since coming here he’d headed up two of the biggest investigations of his career. The first was the hunt for the serial killer who had struck in Kirkby Abbey. This was followed by the murders of an entire family on a nearby farm a year later.

Both atrocities were carried out during the Christmas periods and attracted worldwide attention. Thankfully, this Christmas had passed without any bloodshed, which had come as a huge relief to James and his colleagues.

He was now hoping that tonight would also pass off just as peacefully as he was the on-call detective and would have to respond to any major crime or serious incident that was called in. Sitting here with his family, that was the last thing he wanted to do but with just over four hours to go until midnight experience had taught him that there was still a chance that the phone would ring.

He’d drawn the short straw because most of the other senior detectives either had commitments or were on a break, including his boss, Detective Chief Inspector Jeff Tanner, who wasn’t due back from his annual winter holiday in Scotland until late tomorrow.

‘Is watching me feed the baby really more interesting than the film?’ Annie said with a smile as her eyes remained fixed on the television.

James smiled back. ‘Actually, it is. This film was your choice, remember? I wanted the other one.’

Now she turned towards him and her smile widened. ‘No way was I going to spend New Year’s Eve watching gormless gangsters killing each other. This film is all about lifting the spirits rather than chilling the blood. And if you really can’t get into it, how about making us some more coffee? Then when I’ve finished feeding you can wind her.’

It was an offer James couldn’t refuse, but before heading to the kitchen he crossed the room and kissed his wife and daughter on their foreheads.

‘Do you want me to open the box of chocolates I bought for us?’ he said.

Annie looked up and winked at him. ‘I thought you’d never ask.’

She wasn’t wearing make-up and there were dark circles beneath her eyes but to James she was still as beautiful as she had always been, with her soft facial features and bright blue eyes.

The challenges of early motherhood had taken their toll, however. She’d lost weight along with some of her hair and she’d been having difficulty sleeping. But despite that she was clearly enjoying her new role.

She’d already decided not to return to work as a teacher at the village primary school at the end of her maternity leave as she was determined to make the most of being a mum and was already wondering if they should try to provide Bella with a brother or sister.