‘Uh-huh,’ the smaller policeman says and writes diligently on a notepad. Niall does not remember their names, but he knows that they do not believe him. He doesn’t want to feel like a small animal in a trap.

‘Aye,’ the bald one continues. ‘And?’

‘And that’s about it, really. I took her home. To her parents.’ His voice is even, matter-of-fact. He tries to stay calm, but panic is rising.

‘Her parents didna see her last night.’

Niall lets out a long, shaky breath. ‘Well, that’s about it, as I say.’

‘Thank you, Niall. So, to the best of your ability, please tell us in full what happened last night.’

‘I’m so sorry. Can you remind me of your names, officers?’

The bald man exchanges a quick look with his colleague and says, ‘Officer Cameron.’

‘Officer Cameron,’ repeats Niall with a nod.

‘Officer Morrison,’ says the red-haired man.

‘Officer Morrison. Officer Cameron. Thank you. Well. I was at the Spar.’

‘Yup.’

‘And she was there. Ann-Marie.’

‘Whereabouts in the Spar did you see her?’

‘The drinks aisle.’

‘The alcoholic section?’ says Cameron. He glances at his colleague, who is writing.

‘Yes.’

‘And you knew she was under age?’

‘Yeah. I wasn’t expecting to see her. Didn’t notice her at first.’

The conversation lapses and the red-haired policeman jots something else down on his pad. ‘And what were you buying?’

‘She was trying to buy wine, I think.’

‘What were you buying?’

‘Some food and a few bottles, like.’

He nods and writes. ‘A few bottles. And, if you don’t mind us asking, Niall, did you buy her any alcohol?’

‘No, no, I didn’t. I told her that she was too young, and she shouldn’t be buying that stuff. Kids grow up too early these days.’ He wets his lips. Why does he sound guilty, even when he tells the truth? ‘Sorry.’

‘Right,’ says the red-haired policeman. Niall has forgotten his name already.

He stares at his hands and hears the sound of pencils scratching. He scrapes his chair back a little.

‘And so,’ says Morrison or Cameron, ‘you took her back.’

‘No, wait. Sorry. I remember more clearly now. She said she was meeting her dad when I offered her a lift. Then I left her in the shop. I don’t know if she had alcohol in her backpack. I saw her on her own. Outside at the bus stop. And gave her a lift in the end.’ Inside his boot, the toes of his left foot curl.

‘Right, so you don’t know if she had any alcohol?’

‘No, that’s right, I don’t.’

‘OK. And what was she wearing, when you saw her?’

‘I … I canna mind. Light jacket, I think. Her hair is shorter now. She – was wearing a hat. I—’ He runs a hand over his head. ‘Couldn’t see her hair.’

‘Uh-huh. What kind of hat then?’