The intensely patterned glass in the front door made it hard to be sure, but a moment or two after ringing the bell, Robin thought she saw a shimmer of movement inside. She waited then rang again. Nothing. No movement in the window; the curtains were undisturbed. She glanced around then lifted the letterbox. ‘Ana,’ she called, ‘it’s Robin, Corinna’s friend. Peter’s friend. We’ve met before.’

Still nothing. Either she’d been mistaken or whoever it was really didn’t want to come to the door. She was about to take the alley round to the back when, with a thud, a panel in the window overhead was pushed open. A blonde head leaned out enough just to look down. Ana.

The window shut again and seconds later, there were feet on the stairs. A chain rattled but when the door opened, Robin saw that she’d been fastening it, not taking it off. Ana stood behind it with the same wary expression that Robin had seen on Kath’s face earlier, though that had been directed only at her. Ana’s pale eyes scanned the close behind her, too.

‘Thanks for coming to the door.’

A little nod. ‘How did you know I live here?’

‘Kath gave me your address. Josh’s sister.’

‘Is Peter – bad news?’

She loved him, Corinna had told her. ‘She doesn’t sit there on her phone, she plays with him – hours and hours of cards and football and Stardew Valley on the PlayStation. She cooks from scratch for him, too; he sits at the counter and talks to her. He won’t eat broccoli when I make it, but for Ana …’

‘No more bad news, no,’ Robin said. ‘He’s the same. Have you been to see him?’

She shook her head. ‘No. I want but … I’m not the family.’

‘But you’re a good friend. I can let Will know you want to visit, Corinna’s brother; I’m sure they’d be pleased. Or I can give you his number.’

She seemed hesitant. ‘Okay. Thank you.’

‘Look, Ana, can we talk?’

Raised eyebrows.

‘I’ve got a few questions. I …’

She pulled back. ‘Questions – why? I already talked to police.’

Robin lowered her voice. ‘This is not for the police. It’s different – private. I’m trying to find Josh. For Peter’s sake – his father. Please.’

Ana hesitated again but then, with another glance out into the close, she slid off the chain and opened the door enough for Robin to slip through.

Inside it was chilly but the air carried the mixed scents of a citrus detergent and something warm and oniony. After the front garden, she’d expected neglect but the place was orderly, the strip of hall carpet old but recently vacuumed, the mail on a little table stacked neatly next to a vase of pink silk peonies. The mirror above it was spotless.