'We've reached no conclusions yet, sir,' answered Backhouse reasonably. 'By the way, if you weren't expecting to find us here, why did you come in?'

Pelman looked puzzled.

'Why did I…? Oh, here you mean. Simple. I'm the chairman of the Amenities Committee; we had a meeting last night and on the morning after these meetings, the secretary brings the minutes along here. She's got them typed out by then. We check through them together, then pin them up on the notice board so that everybody can see what's been going on.'

'Nice,' said Backhouse approvingly. 'Nice.'

He was looking towards the door as he spoke, and Pascoe, following his gaze, was uncertain whether he was commenting on the democratic process or the woman who stood there.

She was nice, if you liked that kind of thing. Early thirties, well groomed brown hair, expensively but quietly dressed, good figure; Pascoe had no objection to any of these. But he felt himself antagonized by her look of amused self-possession as she surveyed the scene.

Upper-middle class, certain of her place in the scheme of things, full of common sense and good works, committee woman, is or will be a magistrate, cardboard cut-out of the good Tory MP's wife, or even the good Tory MP. Complacent bitch.

Pascoe was surprised at the violence of his thoughts. And at the ridiculous speed of his entirely intuitive analysis. There was a spring of rage in him which would have to be tapped with the greatest care. He tried to wipe the slate clean and start again with this woman, but she seemed bent on confirming his conclusions.

'Hello, Angus,' she said in a clear, high-pitched, well-educated voice. 'You're well protected. The minutes aren't that explosive, I hope.'

She came forward holding a leather folder in her hand. So this was the secretary of the Amenities Committee. That figured.

'Hello, Marianne. Haven't you heard?'

Pelman briefly told her what had happened. As he spoke, Pascoe observed the woman keenly. Two important members of the village community and neither had heard the news. He would have to revise his ideas about the tribal nature of the English village.