‘Look, Bernie did tell me this was very difficult for you …’ I say, trying to soothe him.

He laughs a brittle laugh, which quickly turns into a sound akin to a sob.

‘You’ve no idea. You’ll never have any idea. Is that bastard Ryan Murray here? Get him here and I’ll tell him exactly where he can shove his story.’

‘I’ll just ring through to him now …’ Lisa starts, but I raise a hand.

The last thing I need is for Liam Doherty to start telling my boss just how unprofessional he thinks I am. As much of a pain in the arse as it will be, Ryan will pull the story. These are different times now. No one takes a publish-and-be-damned risk any more. Especially not Ryan, who has been trying to bury this story from the start.

‘Let’s see if Mr Doherty and I can have a little chat first,’ I say. ‘Perhaps we can go through to a quiet room and talk,’ I say in my most appeasing tone.

‘There’s nothing to talk about,’ he slurs. ‘She is not for sale and she is definitely not for sale to the bloody Chronicle!’ His anger falters, glassy eyes filling with tears. ‘She was my baby, Ingrid. You know that. You knew us. You were there!’

His anger is replaced by pain and I feel my heart constrict.

‘We just want to help her be remembered,’ I say.

He looks down at his shoes. One lace is loose – undone, just like the rest of him. I see his shoulders shudder as his body is wracked with sobs and guilt washes over me. So much guilt. But still, I know I have to do whatever I can to stop this story from being pulled.

When Liam Doherty lifts his head again, he looks at me, his eyes pleading.

‘You’ll never understand. You’ll never feel the pain we do. And this – seeing it again. Reading it again …’ His voice trails off. ‘It doesn’t help anyone. I tried, believe me, I’ve tried to be okay with it, but I can’t be. She was murdered. Let me tell you about that,’ Liam says, to the room as much as to me. His voice is thick with pain. ‘My wee girl. My wee princess. She was the most beautiful wee baby I ever saw. The light of my life. Every single time I saw her, my heart felt full. She made my soul smile.