Halfway through the meal, Andrews broached the topic.

'Has the Inspector said anything?' he asked, gently.

'Robert has said lots of things. He's very talkative.'

'You know what I mean, Maddie.'

'I'm sure that I don't,' she said, briskly, reaching for her teacup. 'What sort of a day have you had?'

'The kind of day that I always have,' he replied. 'It was long and tiring. Now don't try to avoid the question.'

'I'm avoiding nothing, Father.'

'Well?'

'Eat your food.'

'I'm waiting for an answer.'

'Robert and I are good friends.'

'You always say that.'

'Then why don't you believe me?'

'Because you've been saying it for years now, Maddie,' he went on. 'People are beginning to pass remarks about the two of you.'

'Well, they'd better not do so to my face,' she warned with a show of temper worthy of her father, 'or they'll get more than they bargained for! I'm surprised you listen to worthless tittle-tattle.'

'They're bound to wonder – and so am I.'

She took a deep breath. 'Robert and I have an understanding,' she explained, trying to rein in her irritation. 'You need have no fears about him, I promise you. He's a perfect gentleman.'

Andrews gave her time to calm down. There was an obvious bond between Colbeck and his daughter but it vexed him that he did not comprehend its true nature. In the normal course of events, an engine driver's daughter would never have the opportunity to befriend a detective inspector, especially one who had enjoyed a career as a barrister before joining the Metropolitan Police Force. All three of them had been thrown together by a dramatic turn of events.