He then heard the other man calling out. He was scared. He was about to make a break for it, when Jay walked into the alley towards the sound, so stayed put. He listened as Jay’s footsteps became fainter as he walked past the car park and further towards the bottom of the sloping alleyway.

Tears spring into his eyes as he recalls the noise of whatever it was smashing into Jay’s body, the sound of bones breaking and a life ending. He says he almost vomited behind the car as the killer made his way past him onto the street, but just managed to hold it in.

He tells me that the night will haunt him forever, and that the thought of making a film with even one death is too much for him and that he is considering changing courses, or leaving university altogether.

I sit back in my chair and when I look at Ben now, I see him in a completely different light. He was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, and bore witness to something life changing. I see a lost young man who will never be the same again. And I actually feel sorry for him.

I thank him for his time, and offer him a lift back to his halls which he declines. I leave him sitting at the table, nursing his almost empty pint glass.

Outside, I send Tom a text message asking if he got to Oxford safely. As I make my way back to the police station for DCI Bob’s debrief, Tom replies with a simple ‘yes.’ I’m surprised at the brevity of the message, though I can’t imagine how difficult it must be for him, watching his mum’s slow decline. I type ‘see you soon’ and hit send, before entering the doors of the station.

Amy sits opposite me once more. I’d almost forgotten about the therapy appointment, on account of how hectic my day had been. Luckily, Amy had called to change the time and so I hadn’t missed it.

‘Welcome back,’ she says.

We exchange small talk about our week before she takes on a more professional expression.

‘I know last week we flitted around a lot and had a really good discussion about lots of things, but this week I’d really like to know more about the night in the mill.’

My heart sinks at the thought of once again dredging up the memory of almost dying, but I suppose that this is exactly what these sessions are for. I sigh and ask her what she wants to know.

‘Everything.’

My mind drifts back to the night in question and I begin to tell Amy my tale, leaving no detail unsaid.

The abandoned mill looked even more imposing in the darkness. We had received intel that day that suggested one of the most wanted men in the area was using the mill as a place to hide. Liam and I had been tasked with staking it out that night, though Liam was running late and had arranged to meet me as soon as he could.