I envied her youth. Wanted to tell her to appreciate it while she had it.

‘I don’t know if you ever told me your first name,’ I said.

‘Eve,’ she replied.

I nodded.

Julie sat silently at my other side while DI Bradley talked to someone outside the room – some poor unfortunate who’d been tasked with removing the wastepaper bin and cleaning it. I wondered if DI Bradley was telling that poor officer to go and find my husband.

I pulled my gaze from Constable King’s youthful face and looked down at my wedding ring. My solitaire engagement ring nestled on top of it. A strange tradition. Pieces of metal we put on our fingers to claim ownership of someone else.

‘He didn’t hurt her,’ I said, for myself as much as anyone else. ‘I know that. He might have been seeing her. He might have lied to me about where he was, but I know he wouldn’t have done that to her. He’s a good man. A good father. A good friend. He wouldn’t …’

Constable King took my hand. ‘Please try not to worry. We’ll just be asking a few questions. It’ll be informal, but it is important that we talk to him. I understand this is very distressing for you.’

I nodded, because there was nothing else I could say.

‘If we give you a few minutes to gather yourself, do you think we could continue? We’ve a few more questions that you ladies may be able to answer for us.’

I heard Julie say, ‘Of course.’ Felt Constable King pat my hand and get up to go and talk to her colleague.

‘Did Clare ever mention Paul to you?’ I asked Julie.

‘No, Rachel. I swear. Not outside any conversation we had about you guys. Just boring stuff. There might be a rational explanation.’

It may well be rational but it wasn’t pleasant.

My phone rang then, Molly’s daycare.

‘Mrs Walker,’ her teacher said in the voice she reserved only for the most serious of occasions. ‘I think you’d better come to the nursery. There’s been an incident and Molly’s very upset.’

‘An incident?’ I asked. ‘Has she had an accident or something?’

I thought of how she’d wet the bed. Had been extra clingy.

‘No. I’m afraid it’s more serious than that. We’ve had to inform the police, too. A man was seen walking around the periphery of the outdoor play area. He called Molly over to him; I’m afraid our assistants didn’t see her walk over at first.’

I held my breath, gripping Julie’s hand as she looked at me, eyes wide with concern.