I can’t stop wondering whether Freya will be there too.

I stand for a last look at myself in front of the mirror. I look at myself square-on. I’m ready. As ready as I can ever be.

I take the bus towards the centre of town. April sunshine beams in through the scratched windows of the upper deck where I sit. It warms the interior so much that I have to take off my coat. I get off at the stop that TfL tells me is the right one and I pull up the address again to check the directions from here. There is a text message on my phone from Alastair: I’ve just arrived. See you soon. I read it through twice, three times, before pushing the phone back into my pocket.

The coroner’s court is on Tennis Street, only a couple of minutes’ walk from the bus stop. I at once see the figure of Alastair, standing outside. He touches me, gently, on the arm when I join him, and tells me that I really am looking better. I tuck my loose hair behind my ears and my chin into the collar of my coat.

From the pavement, I look up at the building that looks so ordinary, like a dozen other council buildings. I can’t help wondering how many stories have been told here. How many truths have been dragged into the light.

Alastair checks his watch then turns his wrist to show me. ‘Shall we go in?’ he says. It is ten to the hour. I nod.

Inside, there’s a little desk, a sort of reception, and I explain that we’ve come for the inquest into the death of Sarah Jane Jones. The man on the desk has grey hair clipped short and skin lined with thick wrinkles. He gives us a book with a sheet to sign and we put our names down, one above the other. I can see from the page that Marianne is already here. She has come, just like she said she would. I spot PC Delliers’ name in there too.

Alastair and I go in.

Inside, the court is small and hushed. The walls are plain beige, and the furnishings kitted out in smooth, pale wood. There is no sense of grandeur, just efficiency. Well-meaning people doing their jobs. There is no judge or jury but I make out the coroner right away. She looks wise, kindly. I wonder what she makes of my statement and whether it has been of any help to her at all.