‘Connor.’ The policewoman’s voice is soft but her eyes are hard as they flicker around the kitchen before settling on him. ‘I’m PC Leighton. Your mum reported you missing. Your dad’s been going frantic. Can you tell me what you’re doing here?’

‘I came to see Hailey.’ Connor doesn’t hesitate.

‘And you came here of your own volition?’

‘Yes.’

‘You weren’t forced in any way?’

‘No.’

‘Right.’ She doesn’t believe him, Connor can tell.

‘You left a bit of a mess at home.’ She studies his face.

At first, Connor thinks she means his bedroom. His face flames – there are dirty socks, his boxers strewn over the carpet. The half-empty pizza box abandoned on the floor. But the side of his head throbs a reminder of the scuffle in his hallway: the broken vase; his smashed phone.

‘I was running for the door, a parcel was delivered, and I knocked over the table and hit my head. I should have cleared up the mess. I’m sorry if I worried anyone. Wasted your time.’

PC Amin pokes his head into the kitchen. ‘Nothing upstairs. I’ll radio in.’

PC Leighton nods as she steps out into the hallway before turning back to Connor. ‘You must have left in a hurry. What was the urgency?’

Now Connor has told his story once he thinks he should again. It will be easier this time. ‘I wanted to tell Mr Marshall the truth that—’

‘The truth is…’ Mr Marshall cut in. ‘Is that Connor hasn’t visited Hailey since the accident and suddenly had the urge to. He rushed here before he could change his mind. I’ve told him not to blame himself. It’s been difficult for us all, but I don’t hold him accountable, any more than he holds me accountable.’

Connor’s eyes meet his head teacher’s and he knows that this is more than Mr Marshall saving his own skin. More than him not wanting Connor to relay how he really came to be here. He really doesn’t blame Connor and Connor wonders whether he should stop blaming himself. Certainly he should stop blaming his mum. He’s made it so difficult for her and after everything she’s been through. He wants to see her. To tell her how sorry he is. She has so much to worry about with Kieron. So much guilt over Hailey. He shouldn’t have added to it.

‘Is my mum angry?’ he asks.

‘Worried like any mother would be. You didn’t leave a note? No, of course you didn’t.’ She sighs the sigh of a parent. ‘I’ll ring your parents, tell them you’ve been found safe and sound. It’s all going on today.’ She sighs again as she punches numbers into her phone, presses it against her ear. She leaves a message for his mum, and then his dad.