‘Yes. And I will. But it’s taken me a long time to recover from my divorce. Things are getting easier. I’m hoping that this won’t be a setback. I don’t really want any contact with my ex-husband, you see.’

She’s nodding and writing it all down in her little black book.

‘So you say you rang the delivery company? Did you ring them straight away?’

‘When I realised what had happened. And they came as soon as I got home from work to pick the cases up. I honestly can’t see why he’s being like this. I didn’t ask to have them delivered here. And I’m sure you have more important things to investigate than a missing bag?’ I pull my cardigan around my shoulders. ‘This is just time-wasting. And to be honest, it’s brought back memories. Set me back.’

She bites. Her head tilts to one side and she’s in sympathy mode.

‘Look, I wouldn’t usually be around here investigating this sort of thing. It’s just that your ex-husband has instructed his solicitor and he says there are personal documents that could be used for identity fraud. So …’

I stare at her just long enough for her to blink.

‘I’m sorry. I just don’t have the case.’

‘Well, that’s all for now. Look, if I just have a little look around I’ll be able to go back and tell him that it’s a mistake and … Well, just promise me that you’ll see someone about all this.’

She makes her way through the dreamcatchers and candleholders towards the lounge. It’s piled up with dinner services and cutlery near the door, then unopened novels and self-help books further in. She cranes her neck to see into the corners and suddenly turns to face me. We’re a little bit too close to each other and I’m glad I scrubbed my teeth.

‘So how do you afford all this?’

I’m still thinking about your bent fucking solicitor, and how he’s insisting the police take this further than a fucking crime number. I stare at her and we connect.

‘I’ve got nothing else to spend my money on. Nothing else at all.’

She’s read my notes and seen my entire file. She knows my children are gone. She knows exactly what I’ve lost. She turns and lets herself out.