But her face is so open and she is so friendly and normal with me, a bit sorry about everything that happened, that’s all, that it just doesn’t seem possible to suspect her. She is such a kind, straightforward person. Surely not someone who could wish me any harm.

Abayomi wants to see me first thing, of course. While Emma makes tea, I go to his office. It’s warm and smells of coffee. He stands up as I come in and comes round the desk to pull out a chair for me. As if, in my time off, I have become some kind of invalid.

‘Good to see you, Jenn. How are you?’

I rest my palms carefully on my lap, one on each side, just so. It helps me confirm that I am sitting up straight. I reply to him calmly and professionally, in my neatly articulate voice. ‘Good to see you too. And I’m fine.’

He hesitates for a moment, as though he’s expecting me to say something more. I keep my hands in my lap and wait for him to continue.

‘I really appreciate,’ Abayomi says, still with that hesitation in his voice, ‘how good you have been about all this. I’m sorry again for how it’s been.’

‘No,’ I say. ‘I completely understand.’ Even though I didn’t really have another choice.

‘We’ve had an internal investigation. I explained to them that although some checks weren’t done, the safety checks were complete and everything else is up to date. We could provide the certificates for those. I had to explain to them, though, about the annual inspection.’

‘Of course. And can I say again how sorry I am about that. It won’t happen again, I can assure you. I really appreciate you having me back.’

Abayomi’s dark skin flushes. Now it is his turn to say, ‘Of course.’

I know he’s sitting only across the desk from me, not far away at all, but it’s a little like looking down the wrong end of a telescope. To bridge the gap, I give a smile, one of the many smiles I’ve practised.

‘You’ll have to work for a while under closer supervision,’ Abayomi is saying. ‘I’ve been asked to keep an eye on you. We’ll be making changes to a number of the ways we do things, and there will be a report. An official one. Beyond that, I think they’ll be willing to draw a line and move on.’

I nod. ‘All right. That’s fine. I understand.’ My breathing is so light, I can hardly feel it.

‘All right then.’

Abayomi coughs and pushes his chair backwards. I follow his cue and get – a little unsteadily – to my feet too. I’m keen to get started. I honestly feel quite all right about everything.

I’m just turning to leave when he says:

‘Jenn?’