But he takes her comment on the chin and smiles, showing a row of even white teeth. ‘Now, that’s no way to speak to your new boss,’ he jokes, then stops dead, as he feels Baker behind him.

Baker gives a stern eye to Smith. ‘Josh,’ he says, ‘I know you were a DS in Newcastle and you had to take a step down to come here, but don’t bugger this up.’ Baker’s an intimidating figure: over six foot and nearly as wide, with a shaved head and a salt-and-pepper goatee. He glares at Josh. ‘You do, and I’ll put you back in uniform on one of those shitty bikes that no one will use.’

Josh nods, his face serious.

‘Now, I wasn’t kidding about the storm. It’s shaken loose some weird and wonderfuls, but this probably takes the biscuit.’ Baker hands a thin file to Josh and they all crowd round. ‘Body found in a chest freezer in the car park at Riverside Country Park, near the airport.’

‘A freezer?’ Freya repeats, looking up.

‘Yes, a freezer. Staff report it had been there since the weekend, but they assumed it had been dumped by someone fly-tipping who wanted rid of it. An employee knocked it over when trying to move it this morning. Found a nasty present inside. SOCO are on the scene, pathologist on her way. Go down and see what you think.’ Baker looks at the three of them. ‘Probably too much resource for one dead body, I know, but West, we’ll have you back with Butler as soon as he returns. And Desai, I figured you’d appreciate the company on your first day back. Ease you in gently.’ He pauses, waiting for a response. ‘Okay?’ he prompts.

‘Yes, guv,’ they chorus.

Baker heads to the next group of detectives and Josh watches him leave. Then he reaches over and taps Freya on the head with the file.

‘Let’s go,’ he says, then turns, picking up his jacket and walking away.

‘What was that?’ Freya whispers to Mina, touching the top of her head and tucking a stray strand of her long blonde hair behind her ear.

‘He obviously likes you,’ she laughs. ‘That’s his way of showing it.’

‘What? Like some little schoolboy?’ Freya grumbles.

‘Who cares when he has a bum as nice as that. I like the Geordie accent.’

‘I can barely understand him. And you’re married,’ Freya retorts.

‘I can still appreciate talent when I see it. Plus, my hormones are all over the place. Giddy not to have a baby attached to my tits.’

‘Yeah, well, keep it in check, will you, Mina?’

But her friend’s already out the door, her black curls bouncing as she practically skips after their new boss.

Freya stomps after them. As she goes, she pulls her phone out again. Her mood is soured by the lack of contact from Butler. It’s unlike him.