Annalise had a very soft voice with a slight lisp. ‘Well, Julia told me that it was sort of a joke and that if I gave her a photograph and my contact details, she would take it into the agency.’

Annalise hunched her shoulders, bending further forward and hiding her face even more.

‘I mean, I didn’t want to be a model . . . Besides, I’m not even the right shape for a model, but Julia said that wasn’t the point. She told me that if they liked me I could be at a premiere with lots of stars and producers and directors. She said it would be great fun, and that there were cast and crew parties – but the best part was that I would be allowed to buy an evening gown and they would provide a taxi to take me there and bring me home afterwards.’

She glanced up at her father with tears in her eyes. ‘I’m sorry I lied, Daddy. I told Mummy I was going to be staying at Julia’s, at her mews house, because one of the other girls had also been chosen and we were going to get dressed together there. A friend was doing our hair and make-up.’

Montgomery remained silent. Jane could see that Annalise appeared to be getting very distressed. So far there had been no reason for this – she had simply lied, as teenagers do. Then Annalise began sobbing, speaking incoherently and repeating over and over that she was very sorry and had not dared tell them because she had lied about the modelling agency.

Jane leaned forward and gently laid her hand on Annalise’s shoulder, drawing her chair closer.

‘Listen to me, Annalise, you’re not going to be in any trouble for what happened, but I need to know the truth. I think it will actually be a big relief for you when you don’t have to keep it a secret any longer. And whatever happened, there’s nothing for you to be ashamed of.’

Mr. Montgomery handed his daughter his pristine white handkerchief and she wiped her eyes and blew her nose. She slowly sat upright.

‘There was . . . a man at the premiere who gave me champagne and then he asked if I’d like to go to his hotel room. He said he was a producer and was casting for a big Hollywood movie and he thought I might be just what he was looking for.’

Jane nodded. ‘Do you remember the man’s name?’

Annalise shook her head.

‘Can you describe him to me?’ Jane asked quietly.

‘He was late forties, maybe fifty. Not very good-looking and fat.’

Jane smiled encouragingly. ‘Go on.’