‘I didn’t, um, know that you knew her. Why would you feel guilty?’

‘She’s cleaned for me for nearly two years. Always done a stellar job. I recommended her to three of my friends. Fantastic attitude, works until she’s dripping with sweat… so I should have… I couldn’t have…’

While Pia started weeping again, I mentally went back over the list of cleaning clients that Leanne had provided so I could let them know she was in hospital. She visited nine houses from Monday to Friday with varying frequency, as well as Hatherstone Hall. There had been a mixed response, from disinterest to annoyance to Ginger, who ran the hall, expressing a gush of relief that the recent drop in standards wasn’t down to Leanne growing sloppy or lazy.

‘You weren’t on the list Leanne gave me. Otherwise I’d have called to let you know.’

Pia lowered her tissue, taking in a shuddery breath. ‘That’s because I let her go.’

‘Ah.’

‘She’s always been brilliant, like I said. Over the past few months I noticed she was taking longer to complete the work, and then things started not getting done. One day I arrived home early and found her sprawled on the spare bed! When I asked what was going on, she denied any problem, slurring her speech and swaying all over the place. I assumed she’d been drinking. And, given the quality of her work, that it wasn’t the first time. It was one in the afternoon!’

I took a slow, deep breath. ‘Did you call children’s services?’

My heart had time for several painful, pounding thumps before she replied. ‘I was worried for Joan. I knew she didn’t have anyone else.’

‘You had no proof that she was drunk.’

‘Well, something was clearly not right.’

‘But still – as if Leanne didn’t have enough problems! She was terrified that her daughter might be taken from her. You have children; can you possibly imagine what that was like?’

‘My dear, I’ve worked as a family solicitor since before you were born. I don’t have to imagine. I also know all too well what it could have been like for Joan, with no one to help her.’

‘You could have asked me.’ A bubble of hot rage began expanding in my stomach, squeezing up against my diaphragm. ‘I’ve been looking after Joan most evenings after school and on Saturdays.’

‘And you were sure that nothing was wrong? That Leanne was a capable mother, there was nothing of concern going on?’

The bubble popped.

Pia studied my sudden deflation, before pulling out a hardbacked notebook and pen.

‘Shall we sort some rotas?’

‘Rotas?’