Bowen’s tone changed when he spoke to Gerry, much as his facial expression did when he looked at her. Definitely something there, thought Banks.

“On the whole I’d say he’s pretty normal,” Bowen said.

“Good at sports?”

“Reasonably. He’s not much of a rugby player, but then, neither was I. If I had to pick his sport, I’d opt for tennis. Not Wimbledon quality, mind you, but definitely passable.”

“And academically?”

“He’s bright. Could apply himself more, but that’s hard when you’re eighteen and your hormones are raging. Terrible time in life to be doing exams, I’d have thought.”

Gerry laughed. “At least there are no girls here to distract him.”

“Yes,” said Bowen. “I thought that was rather a pity when I first came, but I suppose I’ve got used to it by now. I’m still not sure it’s entirely healthy, but I doubt it does any lasting harm. After all, Myers is a day boy, so what he gets up to when he goes home is out of our control. No doubt there are parties and girls.”

“Does he have a girlfriend?” Banks asked.

“I have no idea about his private life,” said Bowen. “I should imagine he’s much like any other young lad in that respect.”

“Is he gay?”

“Not to my knowledge. But you’d really have to ask him that question.”

“Is he headed for Oxford?” Gerry asked, picking up the questioning again.

“It depends. He has an offer, but it’s contingent on his getting three A*s. He’ll have to buck his ideas up a bit for that result, and he doesn’t have much time left.”

“So all in all, you’d say Chris Myers was a well-balanced boy, pretty typical for his age, maybe brighter than most, and with a promising future ahead of him?”

“That would just about cover it,” said Bowen.

“You sound a little hesitant there,” said Banks. “After all, you’ve just given the lad a glowing reference.”

“Actually, those were your words.”

“But you agreed,” Banks said.

“Up to a point. I mean, nobody’s perfect. Chris can be disobedient. He sometimes talks back to teachers, plays truant on occasion and, well, there was that drugs incident, even if it did take place out of school.”

“What about bullying?” Banks asked.

“It happens. I won’t deny it. But we try and nip it in the bud if we can.”

“Myers?”

Bowen shook his head. “No. Chris is neither a bully nor the victim of bullying.”

“What about dishonesty? Plagiarism, cheating in exams, that sort of thing. What do you think of him morally?”