‘Miss Travers says he approached her at about four o’clock, during the champagne reception,’ Abbott said. ‘It could be that after that encounter he went looking for someone else and came across Rachel on the jetty.’

James nodded. ‘It’s an interesting theory and one we need to explore. But it’s best not to jump to conclusions until we’ve heard both sides of the story.’

Belinda Travers answered the door to her room on the first floor and as James started to introduce himself, she interrupted. ‘I know who you are. I was downstairs when you spoke to everyone.’

‘Well, my colleague and I need to ask you some questions about what happened to you in the garden, Miss Travers,’ James said.

‘But there’s nothing to add to what I told the other policeman.’

‘Then this shouldn’t take long. You see, as the senior investigating officer it’s important that I hear your story straight from you.’

She let them in and sat on one of the two chairs next to the single bed. James sat on the other while Abbott stood with her back to the door, notebook in hand.

Belinda was wearing jeans and a jumper, and James could see the tension in her face. She was a pretty young woman with soft eyes set in olive skin and a small, pointed nose dusted with dark freckles.

‘I’m sorry we’re having to disturb you for a second time,’ he said. ‘I realise how difficult all this is for you and the other wedding guests.’

She bit down on her bottom lip and breathed in sharply through her nose, and it looked to James as though she was trying to stifle a sob.

‘I can’t think what else to do with myself. It’s like being trapped in a horrible nightmare,’ she said. ‘I want to go and see Libby, but I wouldn’t know what to say to her, and I’m sure she’s too upset to talk to anyone anyway.’

Tears were threatening the corners of her eyes now so when he next spoke, James lowered his voice, using a gentler tone.

‘How long have you known Libby?’ he asked.

‘We were at university together. She’s one of my best friends and I was so happy for her. I thought it was going to be the perfect wedding and I’d been really looking forward to it.’

‘And did you know Rachel?’

A nod. ‘Of course, but not very well. We never hung out together, but I liked her. She was nice.’

‘And I take it you don’t know who might have wanted to kill her?’

A shake of the head. ‘I have no idea. And please don’t go telling Mark Slade that I think he did it. That’s not why I told the other officer what happened to me. I just felt that, in the circumstances, it was something the police needed to know.’

‘But you didn’t think it was serious enough to report it earlier.’

‘I knew that if I did it would have caused a huge fuss and spoiled Libby’s big day,’ she said. ‘And I had to bear in mind that I might not have been believed. It would have been his word against mine, and since him and Greg are so close, I thought it best to keep schtum.’