And as if she can sense what Karen is thinking, she says, ‘It helps. Doing something practical and not having to think about my own misery, even if it’s just for a minute.’

Karen understands. For almost half an hour they talk about everything under the sun, other than why she’s there. They talk about the heatwave that came and went, about restaurants they’d recommend, about the latest reports saying the bee population is in decline. But after two sandwiches and as many cups of tea, Karen realises she has to get to her real reason for visiting.

‘I’m afraid I have to torment you with a few more questions,’ she says. ‘But they’re not about the attack itself.’

Anita Kollbar nods, and Karen pulls a notebook out of her bag. Turns to an empty page and runs her wrist across her forehead.

‘Does the name Gundar Freske mean anything to you?’

Anita Kollbar turns her head slightly, squints, and looks like she’s searching her memory.

‘Freske? That does ring a vague bell. Is he one of our residents?’

‘Yes, Karpvej 122 in Moerbeck. According to the information I found at New Builds, the contract is in the name of Ethel Freske. There have been some complaints about smoking on the balcony.’

‘Ah, yes, I think I remember. Ethel Freske died a while ago and her son never bothered to transfer the contract. Or rather, he didn’t report her death to us.’

Karen’s grip on her pencil tightens.

‘And as long as the rent was paid as usual every month, we had no way of knowing, of course,’ Anita Kollbar continues. ‘We would happily have put him on the contract instead if he’d just asked. I think he has lived there for close to thirty years, so we had no reason to kick him out.’

‘Had no reason?’

‘Not as long as he paid the rent, like I said, and he did for several months, but then the problems started. First, there were late payments and eventually, no payment at all. We sent out several warnings and eventually an eviction notice.’

Karen can feel her hand trembling, so she takes a deep breath.

‘And how did he react?’ she says.

‘I honestly don’t know. He was probably upset, as most people in that situation tend to be. There’s almost always other complications, too, when things get to that point, which unfortunately, happens all the time.’

‘But you remember this particular one.’

‘Yes, probably because of the thing with the mother. A grown man living with his mummy? Both sad and a bit . . . well, a bit unsettling, perhaps. There was quite a bit of talk in the office. But, somehow, he must have come up with the money to pay those missing rent instalments, though he never contacted me, just paid up. I assume Social Services stepped in, because he didn’t have a job, if I remember correctly.’