Sean doesn’t have to tell me what he wants because it’s the same every time. A double strength latte made with almond milk. I’m reaching down to get the milk from the fridge below the barista machine when the thought suddenly hits me. Sean does deal in trouble. He’s the one I should be talking to. I wait until Muriel has moved into the back of the shop, taking longer than is needed to make his coffee.

‘Can I ask you something, Sean?’

‘Fire away,’ he says, checking his phone before putting it back into his pocket.

My heart is racing. Where do I begin?

‘I might be in trouble,’ I say, placing his coffee on the counter. Sean taps his card and lifts the cup to his mouth. His eyes are focused on me as he takes a sip. I feel foolish, but I have to ask just to be sure.

‘Can the police stop me from travelling abroad? From emigrating?’

Sean chuckles. ‘There are situations where they can, Tara, yes, but you’d probably need to have murdered somebody. Why are you asking? Did something happen?’

‘Well…’ I’m nervous to say it out loud. So I check behind me to make sure Muriel is still out of earshot then I lean forward and whisper. ‘They might think I murdered somebody or know something about a murder.’

‘What?’ Sean’s chuckle quickly disappears and now he’s looking at me in disbelief. ‘What are you saying, Tara? Did the police say that to you?’

Oh shit, Sean is definitely going to think I’m a fool.

‘No, not directly but they did question me about someone who was murdered. And I’m moving to Australia next month and I’m worried that it might…’ My voice sounds really agitated now and I can feel tears welling up in my eyes. Sean puts his hand out and places it on mine.

‘First of all, Tara, no, you won’t be stopped from going to Australia, so don’t be worrying about that.’

I take a deep breath and let the heavy burden float off into the air. Sean is about to continue when the door opens and in walks another regular. Mark from the holiday shop down the road. He shouts hello at the top of his voice and stares at the menu board even though I know he too will order his usual. Sean winks at me.

‘What time can you call up to me in the office to have a quick chat? I’ll put your mind at ease. You shouldn’t be worrying like that.’ He says this in a quiet voice so Mark can’t fully hear. I’m overwhelmed by Sean’s kindness and I feel like crying again.

‘Eleven. I’ll be on my break at eleven… or one o’clock. I’m finished at one today.’

‘One o’clock, Tara, I’ll make sure I’m free.’