‘Sometimes. Although I mainly work with solicitors and their clients, or youth-offender teams, usually in preparation for a trial. But your mother has asked me to speak to you today because she’s concerned about the effect of your recent experience. So I’m here to help you make sense of it. We’ll take things at your pace. There’s a glass of water and some tissues here, and if you wish to take a break at any point, just say and we will.’

Seraphine looked at the box of tissues. I’m expected to need them, she thought. ‘What do I call you?’

‘Dr Bloom will be fine. I understand you’re quite a capable student and your teachers think you have a great deal of potential. Do you enjoy school?’

Seraphine shrugged.

‘According to your mother, you’re an accomplished athlete. She tells me you’re in the netball team and have played badminton for the county. Is that correct?’

Seraphine shrugged again.

‘And you took the lead in last year’s school production, so quite the all-rounder.’

Seraphine shuffled in her chair. She needed to get a grip. She was acting like one of her stupid friends. She looked at Dr Bloom sitting straight-backed, her feet neatly side by side and her hands in her lap. Seraphine sat up. ‘I’m good at Science and Maths.’

Dr Bloom nodded.

‘And I enjoy sports.’ She wiggled her right foot into place directly below her right knee.

‘And you’re an only child. Are you close to your parents?’

‘Very.’

‘That’s good.’ Dr Bloom smiled as though she was genuinely pleased by this response. ‘Can you tell me what you mean by “very”?’

Seraphine moved her left foot into position beside her right. ‘And I also enjoy Design Tech, because Mr Richards is a good teacher.’ And he really, really sharpens his pencils.

‘I see.’

‘Are you a medical doctor?’ Seraphine asked, as she folded her hands over her thighs.

‘No, but I have a PhD in Psychology. Do you know what that is?’

Seraphine nodded. ‘Where did you study? I don’t know whether to bother with university. It seems like a waste of time; I could just get on and earn some money. What do you think?’

‘Would you say that you’re closer to your mother or to your father?’

Neither, she thought. ‘Both,’ she replied. ‘Equally.’

‘And have they been supportive since the attack?’

Of each other. Like they were the bloody victims. Seraphine masked her irritation with a smile. ‘They’ve been fabulous.’

‘Fabulous?’ Seraphine was very aware of Dr Bloom’s brown eyes still fixed on her own. ‘Well, you’re very fortunate, Seraphine.’

Something about the way she said it made Seraphine think she meant the exact opposite.

‘Can you tell me in your own words what happened in the sports hall?’