During the drive, Denise remained silent, the pain raw and visible on her face. But Fraser dutifully answered James’s questions even though he clearly found it difficult. He revealed that both he and his wife had retired two years ago – him from his job as a dentist and Denise as one of the town’s GPs. He also gave James the name and address of the café in Ambleside where Rachel had worked, but pointed out that it wouldn’t be open until Monday.

‘The owner’s name is Mary Wilson and I can give you her number,’ Fraser said. He also confirmed that Rachel owned a laptop but she had never shared the password with them. And as far as he knew she hadn’t kept a diary.

James then asked him how long they had lived in Bowness.

‘We moved here from Kirkby Abbey thirty-one years ago, shortly before the girls were born,’ he replied. ‘Because we both had careers, we employed Claire to help out as a visiting nanny when they were young. She lived a couple of minutes away, in Windermere, but spent most of her days with us.’

James let it be known that he himself lived in Kirkby Abbey. ‘My wife moved to London fifteen years ago. But when her mother died and left her the house in the village, we decided to move there. It was one of the best decisions we ever made.’

Fraser couldn’t recall ever meeting Annie’s parents and when he asked Denise if she remembered them, she simply shook her head and continued to stare out of the window.

They entered Bowness along the Rayrigg Road and well before the town centre they hung a right into a smart residential area close to the lake.

The house was a two-storey detached property with stone walls and a slate roof. It had a driveway on which two cars were parked, a Peugeot and a Mini. Fraser explained that the Mini had belonged to Rachel and she’d used it mainly to go to work in Ambleside.

A woman wearing a heavy grey overcoat was standing in front of the gate and James recognised her straight away as Victoria Hartley, the Family Liaison Officer.

He introduced her to the couple as soon as they stepped out of the car, but Denise responded by breaking down in tears again. Thankfully, Officer Hartley was highly experienced and immediately took control of the situation.

‘Once we’re inside I’ll make you a cup of tea, Mrs Elliott,’ she said. ‘And I’ll explain to you how I hope to be of assistance during this very difficult time.’

Moments later they were inside the house, which was modern and spacious. Fraser guided his still-sobbing wife into the living room where a three-piece suite was arranged around an open fireplace.

Once Denise was seated on the sofa alongside Officer Hartley, Fraser led James and the others up the stairs to his daughter’s bedroom. But as soon as he pushed open the door his eyes flared with emotion and he shook his head.