‘I was here that night,’ Leanne said, forcing the conversation back on topic. ‘Not at the theatre, but I can still taste the smoke that hung in the air for days.’

‘Then you know how difficult it will be to pitch this event just right. Believe me, the working party has been through countless iterations of what could work and what simply won’t do. It’s been hard at times to find a middle ground. We don’t want the service to be focused on any particular religion, but we need to acknowledge individual beliefs. We want singing, but the lyrics have to be carefully considered. We talked about releasing balloons, but there’s the issue of plastic pollution. Fireworks were suggested, but that might trigger some of the survivors. I could go on.’

‘So what will you be doing?’

‘We’ll have a few speeches, some readings, and there’s a local choir to provide the music. We’re also working with local faith leaders so we can signpost anyone who needs individual support, but I’d have to say, the most contentious issue has been whether or not to invite the dance school to resurrect part of their Alice in Wonderland performance.’

Leanne pulled a face.

‘My thoughts exactly, and it isn’t going happen,’ Claudia said, sharing a moment with Leanne as if they were old friends. ‘But we did agree that the dance school should be involved in some way. Rose Peagrave is in charge now, and she’s said that the students are super eager to do something to celebrate the memory of their founder.’

‘Hilary Clarke,’ Leanne said. When Claudia nodded, Leanne decided the time had come to drop another name into the conversation. She hooked a finger around her chin, pen still in hand. ‘It sounds like there are a lot of people involved in your working party. Would Phillipa Montgomery be one of them?’

‘No,’ Claudia replied, unfazed by the name drop. ‘It was deemed inappropriate for Phillipa to be involved, given the nature of my charity, and the ongoing investigation.’

‘Who deemed it inappropriate?’

‘Phillipa.’

‘I see,’ Leanne said, scribbling a note to that effect so that Claudia was left in no doubt that this was an important aspect of her story. ‘Are you a close friend?’

‘Not particularly.’

Leanne was used to hearing this kind of evasion. Phillipa had become a social outcast, and no one wanted to be linked by association. Not that it stopped Leanne from tarring them all with the same brush. ‘But you did socialise with her?’