‘Don’t include any speculation about who you think this woman might be, because that will only lead potential witnesses. Ask the public to fill in the gaps of Amelia’s memory and, to add a bit of jeopardy, be upfront and suggest that the truth may never be uncovered. No one wants an act of bravery to go unrecognised. If, by some miracle, you can identify her, this could be quite the story, Leanne. We all love a reluctant hero. We like to think it could have been us.’

‘Except life isn’t a neat movie script,’ countered Leanne with a spray of spittle. The swell of anger had taken her by surprise. ‘Not everyone can be a hero, and not everyone gets to be saved by one either. Who was there for Angela Morris when she collapsed? Who was ready to push Lena Kowalski out of the way of falling rubble? Lois’s so-called boyfriend was three feet away when the life was crushed out of her, for Christ’s sake.’ She paused, her jaw twitching as she clenched her teeth. ‘There were six hundred people in the theatre that night, and not all of them were thinking selfless thoughts. People shoved Amelia’s mum out of the way hard enough to break bones, all while she was screaming for her daughter.’

Frankie didn’t interrupt until she was satisfied that Leanne’s rage was spent. ‘Do you want me to write Amelia’s story?’

‘No, I’ll do it,’ Leanne said a little too sharply. ‘Sorry, Frankie. Thanks for the offer, but I’m already in Mal’s bad books.’

‘He’s worried about you, that’s all. He doesn’t want you to lose your way.’

Leanne glanced out of the window and across the marina. Boats were bobbing up and down in the water, moving, but getting nowhere. ‘Has he spoken to you about me?’

‘He showed me the piece you wrote about Phillipa Montgomery.’

‘Do you think it was too much?’

‘Possibly too soon,’ Frankie conceded.

‘I asked Claudia Rothwell about her, but she claims they weren’t close.’

Frankie shrugged. ‘It’s probably true. I can’t recall ever hearing Claudia’s name associated with Phillipa, in fact I’d never heard of Claudia before the fire. Had you?’

‘No,’ Leanne said, recalling Claudia’s nervousness. She didn’t come across as an attention seeker, or at least not a successful one. ‘Claudia did mention Bryony Sutherland though. She thinks she’s still in contact with Phillipa. I recognise the name, but that’s about it.’

‘Her family built up a pottery business that specialises in tableware. Bryony’s fortune was literally handed to her on a plate,’ Frankie replied. ‘She always struck me as one of Phillipa’s loyal foot soldiers, so I imagine they would have stayed in touch.’

‘Did you ever interview her about the fire?’