‘OK, let’s get this over with. By the way, your ex-husband is still insisting that you have his bag. And that you’re posting pictures online. It looks like we’re going to have to come and have an Official look.’

She looks apologetic and pissed off at the same time.

‘Like I said before, anytime.’

We go back into the interview room and Linda Jones joins us. I go through everything again with DS Percy, letting her take the lead. But all the time I’m wondering how you knew what I was doing, where this person was watching me from. I pause for a moment.

‘Did you want me to have a look at earlier? I mean, I might remember something …’

They look at each other.

‘Well, if you’re sure.’

‘I was a bit drunk but I might be able to …’

Linda is already running the footage backwards. It starts to play as I come into the Premier Inn, and we watch as I order a drink and fix my gaze on Peter. I’m mesmerised by seeing in-between me, cheap and common but surprisingly steady after almost a bottle of wine and a half-bottle of vodka. But I’m searching the background for the someone common who I even vaguely remember. Each table. The windows. The people at the bar.

I watch a little longer but there are only people doing the same as me: haunting Premier Inn bars for company. DS Percy looks on hopefully. Eventually I shake my head.

‘No. Nothing. I’m sorry.’

She sighs. I can see that she’s been pinning all her hopes on this. She pulls her chair right up to me.

‘Look, Caroline, I’ll be honest, we have nowhere to go with this. Is there anyone at all who has a grudge? Anyone who would do this? It’s obviously something to do with you, but I just can’t work out what.’

The elephant in the room is you, Jack. But you want me to say it. You want me to accuse you.

‘No. I just go to work and come home and occasionally—’

She holds up her hand again. She really doesn’t like what I’ve been up to.

‘We’ve been through the obvious. People involved in your divorce. We’ve given your ex a knock and he has a solid alibi for both times and dates.’ Of course you have. ‘So we’re out of options and that could be anyone.’

I look her in the eye.

‘Yes. It could be anyone. It’s someone very clever, for sure. I feel a little bit scared, actually. To think this has something to do with me … that someone’s watching me.’

She puts her hand on my arm.