The living room was well proportioned with dark wood and antique furniture. Two dated but attractive cream sofas with flowers on them faced each other in the centre of the room. A wooden blanket box was between them with magazines scattered on top of it. There was also a silver-coloured laptop, and next to it a tablet in a light blue case.

“Can you bag those?” Keya instructed Constable Sparrow, as she slowly walked around the perimeter of the room. A vase of summer flowers stood on a table next to a casement window, out of which Keya was able to see the garden, which both Dora and Daisy had been so passionate about. It looked colourful with bushes and flowerbeds. To the right, there was a sheltered section with a small pond and a garden bench. It did look a peaceful place to sit.

On another table there was a collection of silver-framed photographs of Theo through the various stages of his life, and at the front, one of him and a smiling Daisy dressed up for a wedding or party. She took a photo of it with her phone.

Overall, the room was pleasant and welcoming, although as she walked out, she noticed a brown stain on the ceiling and a section of peeling, faded wallpaper.

Upstairs consisted of several unoccupied rooms. A couple of them were being used to store boxes and a collection of furniture, golf clubs, and other bits and pieces. There was a neat double bedroom, which she thought was a spare room, and at the back, with views over the garden, was the larger master bedroom.

From there, Keya could see the garden path meandering down to the stream and what looked like a metal egg-shaped swing suspended from an old oak tree. She could imagine a carefree Daisy relaxing in it.

The bedroom contained a large sleigh-style bed which was neatly made with a well-loved pony soft toy on one pillow. On the retro-looking wooden bedside table lay a phone in a cream case with Stone Circle Flour and Bakery printed on it.

Keya picked it up with a gloved hand and turned it over. The screen was blank, so it probably needed charging.

She also noticed the lamp, and she recognised the romance book next to it. How long was it since she’d had the time to read?

The wardrobe contained a collection of smarter menswear and dresses, and the chest of drawers, the expected underwear, tops, jeans, and trousers. All was as it should be, apart from the fact that one of the room’s occupants would never return.

The normality of the room, and its readiness to welcome Daisy back, hit Keya more than anything else had done and she felt her chest constrict.

Was it because someone so young had lost her life? Or that Daisy really didn’t deserve to die?

“Anything else, Sergeant?” Constable Sparrow asked from the doorway.

“Just this phone,” she choked. “And then wait for me downstairs in the hall. There’s one more thing I need to ask Mr Watson.”

For some reason, having spent time in Daisy’s bedroom, Keya felt comfortable enough to ask Theo, “Did you and Daisy have sex up at the standing stones?”

They were standing in a light, airy kitchen with new pale-yellow kitchen units and modern kitchen appliances.

Theo leaned against the wooden counter, his eyes widening and then misting over. “Daisy wanted a baby, and she thought the standing stones on the eve of the summer solstice was the perfect place to conceive. And we weren’t the only ones,” sniffed Theo. “Several other couples were also in the woods.”

He looked at Keya with a forlorn expression. “And now Daisy will never have her baby.”

CHAPTER TWENTY

It was late afternoon by the time Keya and Constable Sparrow returned to Cirencester Police Station. Keya yawned as she walked along the corridor towards the team room.

“Keeping you up, Keya?” Stan joked as he stepped out of the small kitchenette.

“It’s been a long day,” Keya replied, as she led Constable Sparrow into the team room.

Finding Ryan at his desk, she said, “I can’t believe it was only last night that we watched the play.”

“I know. Did you find any electronics for me?” He eyed the transparent evidence bags Constable Sparrow was carrying enthusiastically. Why wasn’t he affected by his lack of sleep?

Turning to Constable Sparrow, Keya said, “Give the laptop and tablet to Ryan, but I’ll take the phone down to Sujin. And then you should go home. You’ve also had a long day.”

“Thanks, Sergeant.” Constable Sparrow grinned at her before stepping in front of Ryan’s desk.

She left the two of them chatting and headed towards the custody suite, where Sujin had a small workroom.

He usually listened to music to counter the noise of protesting or drunk people who’d been arrested and were being processed in the adjacent custody suite, and this afternoon it sounded like a classical track playing on the other side of the closed door.

She knocked and entered.

Sujin looked up, smiled, and asked, “To what do I owe this visit?”

“Does there have to be a reason?” Keya protested.

Sujin’s smile broadened. “Not at all. Have you just popped in to see me?”

Keya looked down at the evidence bag she was carrying and, feeling contrite, replied, “Actually, I’ve brought you Daisy’s phone. I think it needs charging.”

When she looked up, she noticed a fleeting look of disappointment in Sujin’s eyes before he smiled slowly and said, “Thank you. I’ll charge it and see what I can find on it. Anything in particular you’re looking for?”

“Any death threats would be helpful,” Keya considered grimly, “but aside from those, any unusual activity. You know the sort of thing.”

Keya turned and felt Sujin’s hand on her arm.

“Have I upset you?” he asked, his voice full of concern.

Keya turned back and her shoulders slumped. “She was so young, and full of life and hope.” Keya felt the tears welling up. “And she wanted a baby. That’s why she and Theo were in the woods. She wanted to conceive on the eve of the summer solstice.”

She blinked, and as she did, she felt a pair of strong arms encircle her. Resting her head on Sujin’s chest, she sobbed. For Daisy, or for herself? She wasn’t sure.

Eventually, she sniffed and pulled back. Wiping her eyes with the sleeve of her white shirt, she apologised, “Sorry. I didn’t mean to get all emotional on you.”

“I’m pleased that you did.” Sujin stopped and then continued, “I mean, I’m glad you feel able to open up to me. There are so many stresses and triggers with this job, and often too few outlets to deal with them. Look, I know we both have a lot of work, but it’s not going anywhere. Do you fancy grabbing an early bite to eat? I think we’re both shattered, and I’ll be better tackling all this in the morning after a good night’s sleep.”

Pulling on a fresh pair of gloves, he opened the evidence bag containing Daisy’s phone and manoeuvred it round so the charging point was facing the open end. He connected it to a lead.

Keya used the time to pull herself together. Her little house was welcoming, but it was also empty. And it was too lovely an evening to be stuck inside.

“How about The Swan Hotel at Bibury?” Sujin suggested. “We can choose something from the bar menu and sit out beside the River Coln before it gets too busy.”

Keya felt guilty at the mention of the River Coln. She hadn’t checked in once with Millie at her cafe, but … “That would be lovely. When do you want to leave?”

“Half an hour?” Sujin suggested.

Back in the team room, Keya found Constable Sparrow and Ryan examining Daisy’s laptop and tablet.

“Sergeant,” she heard Inspector Evans call through his open office door.

Keya sighed and walked across the room and entered the inspector’s office.