‘I don’t think any of us slept that night because it’s really impossible to say, yeah, actually I can’t find him, so I’m just going to go home and have a nice kip instead. I didn’t sleep for weeks, not more than an hour here and there.’ He rubbed his eyes. ‘For years. Jeez. Listen to me. Twenty years ago, but it doesn’t get easier. I guess there comes a time when you realize that he’s almost sure to be dead. Again – not easier. And there’s no single moment when you give up hope. You never give it up, not completely.’

‘Sorry for coming along and stirring it all up,’ said Izzy. I was glad she did: he looked terrible. I wasn’t exactly Miss Marple, but I felt as certain as I could that Lucas hadn’t been the one who hurt Joe. I could see (and it was uncomfortable) that Joe had repeatedly hurt Lucas, but I was pretty sure Lucas hadn’t retaliated with an unlucky fatal punch.

Izzy was saying all the right things. I was barely holding it together, so she had taken the reins. She was brilliant.

‘Hey,’ Lucas said. ‘Sorry for landing all that on you. All you wanted was some quotes for your magazine. It’s just good to talk about him. I’m glad you’re writing his story. It’s important that he’s not forgotten. But, seriously, an old guy like me offloading on a couple of teenage girls: that’s really not appropriate. Apologies.’

He looked around, as if the other people here might be disapproving, though they were all busy with their own things.

‘Don’t worry,’ I said. ‘And thank you for talking to us. It’s really nice of you. I promise we’ll only take a couple of your quotes for our article.’

‘Oh,’ said Lucas. ‘Print what you like from that recording. I don’t care. Will you send me a copy when it’s done? I think it’s fantastic that you’re interested.’ He blinked. ‘Makes me quite emotional actually. Hey – do you have photos for your piece? I have a couple on my phone. Call me tragic, but I have a Joe Simpson folder right here.’

He found them quickly and handed his phone over. I scrolled through a bunch of pictures of old photos. I could see the creases on them, and the colours were faded and changed.

It took my breath away.