‘Top-up?’ she asked. Clarke realised she had drained her drink without even noticing. She looked to Gina’s red wine, only a sip missing from it. Cheryl Haggard had got up too, and was heading for the stairs. All three women watched her go. Then Pelham pressed her palms to the table’s surface and leaned across it, her eyes once more meeting Clarke’s.

‘This is why he can’t get away with it,’ she hissed.

‘He won’t,’ Clarke replied.

‘Men are all the bloody same. I’m speaking from experience. You know how my ex got caught? Some website snapped a picture of him coming out of a hotel with the piece of skirt he’d been shagging. Almost young enough to be his bloody daughter, too.’

‘Which website?’ Clarke asked.

‘Calls itself the Edinburgh Courant. Do you know it?’

‘It rakes up the occasional police story.’ Clarke shifted slightly in her chair. ‘And we won’t have that top-up, thanks all the same. We should leave you to get on with the rest of your day.’

‘Well, we’re here if there’s anything else – I’ve put work to one side for as long as Cheryl needs me. I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to seeing Francis in court.’ Pelham broke off, running a finger down her wine glass before eventually rousing herself. ‘You’ve got my deets, yes?’ She watched as Clarke nodded. ‘It was two other officers we were dealing with originally.’

‘DC Esson is still involved,’ Clarke explained. ‘DC Ogilvie is off work at the moment. That’s why I’m playing catch-up.’

‘Have you met him yet?’

Clarke knew who she meant and gave a slow nod.

‘Don’t fall for it,’ Pelham counselled. ‘They’re all actors, the bloody lot of them.’

Clarke was in her car, trying to decide whether to head back to the station or call it a day, when Christine Esson called her.

‘What did you think?’ Esson wanted to know.

‘She’s fortunate she’s got her sister in her corner.’

‘Stephanie’s definitely a rock. Did she try kissing you when you left?’

‘No.’

‘I feel honoured then.’

‘Just you, or Ronnie too?’

‘Ronnie got the full mwah-mwah – both cheeks.’

‘Lucky he didn’t give her COVID.’

‘Lucky he didn’t give any of us COVID.’

‘How’s he doing anyway?’

‘Says he’s completed Netflix and is starting Disney Plus. You on your way back here or going home?’

‘How much longer are you sticking around?’

‘Maybe an hour. Gunshots reported in West Pilton. They need ­bodies to help with that. Not that there were any bodies. But I’m checking hospitals and surgeries in case any walking wounded emerge.’

‘I’ve got one quick stop to make before I can be there. Should I bring supplies?’

‘A cake wouldn’t go amiss. Did Francis discuss PTSD with Cheryl?’