‘One of my Facebook friends, used to work with his father. What were you talking to the police about, Joe?’

‘A friend of mine’s missing, Ben Delaney. They thought I might be able to help find him.’

‘They took you to the police station for that?’

‘It’s where they work,’ I said.

‘How long did they hold you for?’

‘They didn’t hold me. I wasn’t arrested. They asked for my help, that’s all.’

‘Help with their enquiries?’

‘Yes.’

‘And you told them what?’

‘That I didn’t know where he was, but he wasn’t missing.’

Draper pulled a face like I’d said something stupid.

‘I’m not sure that makes sense, Joe.’

‘What I mean is, I saw him yesterday morning so he isn’t missing. He’s been in touch with me. He’s just messing everyone around.’

‘Presumably the police would take a pretty dim view of that.’

‘They’re not the only ones. His wife’s tearing her hair out.’

‘So how long were you in the police station for?’ he continued.

‘Not sure exactly. An hour, maybe.’

‘And then they just let you go?’

‘I told you: I wasn’t arrested, I was just answering some questions, trying to help them track him down.’

‘Something doesn’t add up, Joe.’

Tell me about it, I thought.

‘I’m as much in the dark as everyone else,’ I said.

Draper looked thoughtful for a moment, rubbing his chin.

‘This Delaney person, does he have any children?’

‘A daughter, Alice. She’s fourteen.’

‘That’s it. Alice.’ He tapped his computer keyboard. ‘Here we go. I knew the surname rang a bell – she’s in Year Ten. Something of a star pupil, by the looks of it. Predictions A-star, A-star, A-star across the board.’

‘She’s a bright kid.’

He sat back in his chair again, lacing his fingers together over his small pot belly.

‘So, is there anything else I should know, Joe? Anything else you want to tell me?’

‘About what?’

‘About this . . . situation we find ourselves in.’

I briefly considered telling him about Ben and Mel’s affair, but quickly dismissed the idea. It would be another stick to beat me with, another way to humiliate me. And it was none of his damn business anyway.

‘No, I don’t think so.’

‘Sure?’

‘Yes.’

‘Anything else that the police were talking to you about? That might be related to Mr Delaney’s disappearing act?’

I got the uncomfortable feeling that he knew more than he was letting on. Or maybe he was just fishing. It was impossible to tell with him.

‘It was just what I told you. They’re looking for Ben, talking to all his friends. Trying to establish his movements in the last few days. His wife’s out of her mind with worry.’

‘Poor woman,’ Draper said, without much conviction.