‘Rather you than me, dear. Right, I’d best be off and let you get some shut-eye. You must pop round for a drink and meet Vi,’ he said, before picking up the ladder and toolbox.

Jane opened the front door. ‘That would be nice, thank you.’

‘Any time you like . . . our door is always open.’

‘Goodnight, Gerry.’ As she closed the door, she wondered if she should have offered him some money for fixing the light, but thought he’d probably have refused. She decided to buy Gerry a nice bottle of wine and drop it off the following day.

She looked at her watch and sighed. It was nearly nine and she still hadn’t started her report.

Having washed and changed into her pyjamas, Jane went to the kitchen and poured herself a glass of wine. ‘God, this kitchen is old and tatty,’ she said to herself, looking at the dripping sink tap and skew-whiff cabinet doors. She needed something to cheer herself up and got one of Father Chris’s kwarezimal biscuits from the tin. Taking a bite, it reminded her how delicious the meal he cooked had been. It had certainly changed her mind about soup being a boring starter. She’d love to be more adventurous in her own cooking and couldn’t remember the last time she’d entertained someone at home, other than her parents. She’d only cooked meals for herself in her new home and wondered if she should invite someone over for a meal.

Jane set down her glass of wine and got her typewriter out of the cupboard, then sat down at the living-room table, opened her notebook, and started typing her report. Although she was a fast typist, Jane took her time, making sure her report was well written and contained all the relevant facts to assist DCS Barnes in making his decision about the next step in the investigation.

It was nearly two in the morning before she finished, feeling exhausted. She put the report in a folder and went straight to bed. Setting the alarm for six, she regretted not letting Boon deal with the arrest of Barry the builder, as it would have allowed her a couple more hours in bed before the meeting with Barnes. It wasn’t long before she was in a deep sleep.

*

When the alarm sounded, Jane felt nauseous and struggled to get out of bed. After a tepid shower, she put on a smart two-piece grey suit, a dark blue blouse with a bow at the neck and grey court shoes. Pushed for time, Jane had a quick breakfast of tea and toast then grabbed her briefcase, hurried out of the door and drove to the old convent building site.

Boon was already waiting in an unmarked car with two plainclothes crime squad officers when Jane arrived. He got out of the Hillman Hunter and went to speak with her.

‘Morning, sarge. You are looking very smart this morning. Anyone would think you’ve got an important meeting,’ he grinned.