I don’t know, she said, pushing her chair back and drumming her fingers on the edge of the table. He’s bright, he certainly could pull something off like that. I don’t know why he’d do it though, unless he got a kick out of manipulating the others. I’ve always thought he was likeable, but maybe he’s been able to manipulate me too? Sasha ran her hands through her hair and leant forward again. This is ridiculous. This is the first time I’ve told anyone about it, and it sounds completely crazy when I try to explain myself.

I gave her an apologetic smile. I don’t know the kids or the school well enough to know what you mean. How long has this been going on?

Since September, I think, she replied. Well, that was when I first thought something was wrong, when I went to visit them at the start of the school year. It’s always a strange time of year for kids in care – they don’t have a family to go to over the summer, so the adults who care for them in those six weeks sacrifice the time with their own families in order to give them some positive experiences.

September was when Steve took up the post as head teacher. Was his arrival connected to the students’ strange behaviour?

Were all five of them there for the whole summer? I asked, my heart aching for these kids who had nowhere else to go. They don’t have any other extended family they can go to?

Sasha shook her head. Not this year. Courtney used to go to her grandparents for some of the holidays, but there was a falling-out a couple of years ago and they stopped inviting her. The others have nobody.

My heart ached for these kids, growing up without the love of a family, however well they were cared for.

Could something have happened over the holidays? I asked.

This is what I’m wondering. I asked them all, but they all insisted it was nothing. Except for Leon, who told me I was asking the wrong questions. Nothing else, just that. She shook her head. I’m wondering if he was manipulating me.

Or he wanted to tell you, but someone else was holding something over him? I gently suggested.

She took a deep breath and I saw her shoulders sag. You’re right. When he’s not here to defend himself, I shouldn’t be assuming it’s anything to do with him.

I didn’t understand what she thought she’d achieve by coming back to the crime scene, but maybe she didn’t know what else to do to try and make sense of it all. It seemed like having someone to talk to had helped, though.

Have you told anyone at the school about this? I asked as we finished our drinks and prepared to leave.