‘What about when you went back?’ he asked.

‘Yeah, he must have been there then, too. Bradley was really confused at Leon being missing in the morning, because he’d been in bed the whole time we were out of the cabin.’

I didn’t know if she was telling the truth, but Singh must have been satisfied, because he turned his attention back to the footprints outside Courtney’s window. He’d finished speaking to her, so we both said goodnight and left her room.

‘I’m going to go and speak to Forest over in the main building,’ he told me. ‘Will you be okay here?’

I thought of Mike, but what could he do with Sasha and a PC in the building? ‘I’ll be fine,’ I told him.

When I went back into the communal area, there was no sign of my ex-boyfriend, and I felt myself relax. Sasha was watching TV, the PC sitting awkwardly on one of the sofas.

Have all the kids gone to bed? I asked her.

I expect Bradley is in Kian’s room, but yes. Mike said he had to make a phone call or something, she told me. I looked at the expression on her face and thought this was a good time to ask her something that had been bothering me.

You know last week, when I came over here, you and Mike were having a conversation? I asked.

Yes?

What were you talking about?

Her face clouded, and I wondered if I shouldn’t have asked, but then I realised her discomfort wasn’t directed at me.

He’s interested in the job I told you about, she explained. I mentioned it to a few of the staff a couple of weeks ago, in case any of them knew an interpreter who might like to apply.

Ah, I replied. Mike isn’t an interpreter.

No, he’s not, Sasha agreed.

But he thinks he’s as good as a qualified interpreter, I signed, choosing my words carefully.

She nodded slowly. He certainly was suggesting that, yes.

We sat for a moment, looking at each other, then we both sniggered.

What did you think we’d been talking about? Sasha asked once her giggles subsided.

I have no idea, I replied. You get paranoid, sometimes, doing this, and start thinking like a detective.

Did you think we were plotting our next murder? Her face fell as soon as she signed this, and she shook her head. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.

It’s okay, I told her.

Sasha leant back in her seat and rubbed her eyes. I’m going to go to bed. One of you come and wake me if anything happens.

I agreed and she went off down the girls’ corridor. For a few minutes I made awkward small talk with PC Brown, but then we both went back to watching the TV.