‘I remember it, you know. Me standing there shaking with fear while he put me in my place, roaring and shouting about what a wee bastard I was – and I think I was supposed to be grateful, because he didn’t lift his hand to me.’

The rain is getting heavier, landing with heavy thuds on the ground, rattling what little leaves are left on the trees. The wind howls and wails, and I shiver as he speaks. I don’t know if it’s the cold or what he is telling me. I know this isn’t leading anywhere good.

‘I ran out of the house,’ he continues. ‘It was late. I didn’t think there were any children still about,’ he says. ‘I was so angry and upset. I don’t think I’d have recognised my goalkeeping hero, Packie Bonner, if he had appeared in front of me. I just wanted to get away.

‘I heard a man’s voice calling after me – could’ve been my da, but I wasn’t for stopping to find out. I ran all the way here, well, up towards the den, you know. I was so angry, Ingrid. So fucking angry with him. I wanted to hurt him and his pals. I wanted to break something. I didn’t know …’

He pauses and my heart is beating so loudly now. Between that and the wind, I can barely hear him. While I want to know what he is going to say next, knowing it will be of help to solve the mystery, there is still a part of me that wants to put my fingers in my ears. I can’t bear to hear what I think is coming next.

‘Niall …’ I’m saying his name, but I don’t know why. He isn’t listening to me. He is in his own world, in the centre of his own storm.

‘I didn’t know …’ he repeats. ‘She was on her way home, in the dark. I couldn’t understand why she was on her own, but she said she’d just dropped her wee friend off at home, and was heading home herself. When she saw me upset, she was like a wee dog nipping at my ankles.

‘I told her to go home, that her mammy and daddy would be worried about her. I told her loads of times. But she followed me, asking me what was wrong. I remember that, her eyes widening when she heard the angry voice calling my name. She asked if I was in trouble. I told her it was none of her business. But she was persistent.