‘We’re just finishing,’ Maclure smiled. ‘Get them a hot drink, talk to them about nothing for a few minutes and I’ll be there, Vicki.’

Vicki Rosach plodded away.

‘I’m keeping you,’ Ava said. ‘Go ahead.’

‘It’s all right. Vicki hasn’t been here long and she still thinks everyone who walks through the door is secretly hiding a weapon that they’re about to turn on themselves. I try to discourage that sort of drama. A laid-back approach is usually more reassuring for the people I treat.’

Voices in the corridor beyond the closed door made both their heads turn at once.

‘Can you tell me who’s in there with him?’ a man demanded.

‘No idea. Some woman,’ Vicki said.

‘That’s not terribly helpful, Vicki,’ came the reply. ‘Is he counselling, or is the meeting to do with something administrative?’

‘I dunno, but she looked fine to me, except her face looks like she plays a bit rough.’

Ava couldn’t help but raise her eyebrows at Rune Maclure at that. He stood up and went to the door.

‘Charlie,’ he said quietly. ‘I’m dealing with a police enquiry in here and for the record, these doors don’t do much in the way of soundproofing when you’re right outside.’

‘Maybe this isn’t the appropriate place to be talking to the police considering the sensitive nature of what we do here,’ Charlie said.

‘I’m nearly finished. Give me a minute. We can discuss this later,’ Maclure replied softly.

The door opened again and Maclure reappeared, rubbing his eyes.

‘I’m so sorry. My colleague, Charlie Packham, doesn’t suffer fools and he’s rarely one to hold back from offering an opinion. He’s a great counsellor, though. We see a lot of military personnel here and he’s specially trained for that. Whatever he does for them, it works.’ He smiled. ‘Listen, I hope you don’t think I’m taking advantage of you needing help in a difficult case, but the number on the card is there even if you don’t have any other questions. You know, in case you ever just feel like chatting. I learned a long time ago not to wait until there’s a good time to do something like ask someone out. It’s a surefire way never to get another opportunity.’

‘Oh,’ Ava said. ‘Thank you. Things are a bit difficult right now,’ she added noncommitally.

‘I get that,’ he said. ‘Just, you know, whenever.’