Samira laughed. Okay, maybe, but I won’t have you to chat to. You’ll be too busy being all loved up. She started making kissing faces, but Leon frowned at her.

Don’t. I don’t want everyone knowing about it.

Fine, fine, I’m sorry. She sighed dramatically. Just make sure you text me and tell me what’s going on, okay?

I will.

Promise?

Promise.

Leon waved his friend off, then turned to go back into the school. He’d left one of his books in the English room and he’d need it for his homework when they returned on Sunday. On his way back, he cut through the courtyard outside the management offices.

The sky was a gunmetal grey, and he wondered just how many outdoor activities they’d actually manage this weekend. There was snow forecast but Mr Wilkinson had said he wasn’t bothered, they’d still be able to get outside even if there was a bit of snow on the ground.

Leon’s eyes were drawn by the light from the head teacher’s room as he walked past, and he paused for a moment. Mr Wilkinson was in there, pacing across the room, and Miss Marcek was sitting looking at something on the computer. As Leon watched, the head ran his hands through his hair, then signed something that Leon didn’t catch.

Mr Wilkinson went over to the computer and pointed to the screen, then grabbed the mouse and brought something else up.

Don’t worry about it, Miss Marcek signed. It’s obviously a mistake. I’ll sort it out. You need to get ready for the trip.

Yes, you’re right. It’s probably nothing.

The head turned back towards the window and Leon hurried away, not wanting to be caught snooping. He wondered what they’d been talking about – probably something boring like the school budget. His phone buzzed and he felt a frisson of excitement when he realised who it was – not long now, and they’d see each other face to face.

Chapter 6

Sunday 25th November

There was no more snow overnight, and by the time I walked back to my car in the morning the roads were much clearer. My route into Scunthorpe was quiet at this time on a Sunday morning. There were often a couple of walkers parked up at Twigmoor Woods early on, but the weather had kept them away for once. As I pulled out onto Mortal Ash there were some lorries pulling into the steelworks, but that route wouldn’t be too busy until just before Morrisons opened. It was unusual for me to be up and out so early on a Sunday, but they wanted me at the police station by nine.