‘I’d be amazed if she had told him, because, like I said yesterday, it wasn’t that big a deal. I doubt Julia gives it a second thought now. I think you’re making more of this than I am.’ She flashed Maggie a weak smile.

‘Maybe I am. So, was it after that trip when the play dates began?’

Imogen nodded. ‘Poppy and Benji got on well that day so Ewan suggested we swap numbers and arrange for the kids to meet up after school. Poppy came here for tea and they had a great time. She was polite, said her pleases and thank-yous, thanked me for having her as she left. Not in a million years did I worry about her being horrible to Benji. That’s why I invited her back.’

‘And you never noticed any change in Benji in the last few weeks? No mood swings, being grumpy, bottling things up?’

‘Not at all. Why?’

‘When kids have problems at school, like a fall-out with their friends, it often shows up in their behaviour at home.’

‘Benji was no different,’ said Imogen. The hem picking became more urgent but her eyes remained dry.

‘Was he happy about moving to Mansell?’

‘He wasn’t at first, because he thought he’d miss his friends. But we came up a few times when I was house hunting and he started to get used to the idea and he liked Rushbrooke when we had a look around. By the time the move happened he was really excited about going there.’

‘Why did you come back?’

‘I had to.’

It occurred to Maggie that Imogen had never mentioned being forced to leave Somerset. She’d made it sound as though it was her choice.

‘It was nothing to do with Benji,’ Imogen added hastily. ‘I got made redundant and I was struggling to find another job. Mum thought I’d have better luck up here.’

Her gaze strayed to the bike in the corner.

‘She wants me to start clearing his things away. She thinks it’s worse for me if I have to see them all the time. But if I do that it’ll seem like I’m getting rid of him and it’s only been a couple of days.’

‘There’s no rush to do anything,’ said Maggie. ‘Wait until you’re ready . . . Sorry, I think I hear my phone ringing. I’d better get it in case it’s important.’

Dashing inside, Maggie plucked her phone from her bag, which she’d left on the small dining table. It was Renshaw.

‘Have I got an update for you,’ she said excitedly.

‘What’s happened?’

‘Forensics have come back to say they found blood at the spot where Benji died that wasn’t his. Lots of it, in fact.’

‘Eh?’

‘I said, there’s blood on the building site that wasn’t his.’