Libby looked away. ‘That was all a misunderstanding.’

‘Oh?’

‘They thought he’d done something he hadn’t. I got it all cleared up, but he wouldn’t go back after how they’d treated him and I can’t say I blame him.’

‘What sort of misunderstanding?’

‘I really don’t want to talk about it. It’s not relevant.’

Bloom and Jameson exchanged a glance, a look that said later.

‘So Stuart is a bit of an extrovert,’ said Jameson. ‘Pretty laid-back, charming, confident and bright?’

‘It sounds like I’m bigging him up, doesn’t it? I suppose I am.’ Libby stroked her hand around and around her bump. ‘But I hope this little one turns out like Daddy rather than neurotic Mummy.’

‘Was Stuart excited about becoming a father?’ Jameson continued.

Libby rested both hands on her bump. ‘Yeah.’ She swallowed. ‘It’s different for guys, I think. It doesn’t become real to them until the baby’s here, does it? But he was excited.’

‘Are there any old friends he might be staying with?’ said Jameson.

‘He’s not great at keeping in touch with people. Not like me. I’ve known my two best friends since nursery school. Another way we’re opposites, I guess. But I checked everyone I could think of. Like I say, I’m obsessive.’

‘Nothing wrong with that, is there, Dr Bloom?’ Jameson didn’t look across to see his colleague’s reaction, deliberately focusing on his notebook instead.

‘You said Stuart was excited about becoming a father,’ said Bloom. ‘Rather than is excited.’

Libby raised her chin to the ceiling for a few seconds. When she looked back at Bloom there were tears in the corners of her eyes. ‘I’m not stupid, Dr Bloom. He’s been missing for nearly a month. How long do the police allow before they suspect foul play? Three days?’

Jameson cut in. ‘That tends to be in cases of abduction, or specifically for vulnerable people and children.’

‘He took no money. No clothes. No passport or driving licence. They’re all still here. He hasn’t used his phone, been on social media, written anyone a bloody postcard. He’s dead. You know it and I know it too. I’m a single mother. I don’t even know why we’re talking, to be honest. This is all too late. Where were you three weeks ago?’ Libby stood and Bloom thought she was about to ask them to leave, but she didn’t. She just walked over to the window and stared out of it.

‘You don’t set any store by this game, then?’ asked Jameson.

Libby looked back at him.

‘You told Jane Reid that Stuart had received a card like Jane’s mum Lana. A birthday card, daring him to play a game.’