‘Because he’s fucking missing, isn’t he?’ Bradley used his voice as he signed, and it broke on the last two words and suddenly tears were streaming down his face. He scrubbed at them angrily with the cuff of his jumper, as if they were to blame for all his problems. Sasha reached out a hand to lay it on Bradley’s shoulder but he twitched out of her reach, so she didn’t try again.

We sat there for a moment while the boy composed himself, then Singh sat back before asking his next question.

‘Are you worried about Leon?’

Of course I’m worried. He’s my friend and he’s missing.

‘A minute ago you told us you weren’t really friends.’

Bradley exhaled sharply. We weren’t, for a while. But then we made up. It was okay again.

‘Can you tell us what the problem was?’ Singh asked, pushing gently.

Bradley hesitated before replying. I didn’t like some of the shit he was looking at online. Kian was looking at it over his shoulder and started asking questions. It bothered me. But after a while I realised I was being a dick about it.

‘What sort of things was he looking at?’

His cheeks reddened. Porn. Chat rooms. That sort of stuff.

‘And you didn’t want your brother looking at it?’

No, he’s too young for that crap. And besides … He stopped signing and looked at Sasha.

I’m not here to judge, Sasha said. I’m just here to make sure the police respect your rights during the interview. Whatever you need to tell them, tell them.

Bradley grimaced. It was gay porn. Leon’s gay.

The detectives glanced at each other as Bradley confirmed what both Samira and Sasha had told them.

Wait, you already knew that, didn’t you? the boy asked as he noted the lack of surprise on their faces. Shit. Well now you know, I was the one being a dickhead. I wasn’t comfortable with Leon being gay, but eventually Kian was the one who made me see that I was the one in the wrong. So, we made up. I have no idea what happened the other night.

‘Did other people know that Leon’s gay?’

Depends if Cassie found out. If she knows, everyone will know. If she doesn’t, it might still be a secret from most people.

‘Do you think Cassie would have spread gossip about Leon?’