On the whole, Miss Marple did not approve of confession in the ecclesiastical sense. She knew that it was practised by Roman Catholics, and if that’s what they wanted, then she had no problem there. And there was the General Confession at Sunday service in her parish church. Again, she was quite happy with that, it did not hurt to remember that one had not always acted as one should. No, what she didn’t approve of was confession being expected on an individual basis to a member of the clergy.

However, on this occasion she was convinced it might help. Doreen Whiteside, a newcomer to the village, was clearly eaten up with guilt. Miss Marple had been friendly, but she could tell that the woman needed more help than she was able to provide.

“Why don’t you go and see the vicar?” she asked. “Rev Clements is very approachable.”

“I’m not sure about that,” Doreen replied.

Nevertheless, a few days later, she did call on him, and was surprised at how understanding he was. At the end of their meeting, as they discussed the way forward, the vicar said, “I don’t know if you know Miss Marple, but she’d be the ideal person to help you with your search.”

Doreen smiled. “She was the lady who suggested I come to you!”