I nodded, having some idea what he meant. In the interviews I’d interpreted, the staff had been very positive about Steve, about his desire to improve the school’s results and create a wider range of opportunities for the students, but this was the first I’d heard of this other side to him. Maybe, as Saul suggested, many of the staff had been taken in by him. Or maybe they didn’t see his demanding nature as relevant to his death. But how could so many of them be singing his praises?

‘Has anyone asked you to speak positively about Steve, to the police?’ I asked casually.

There was a heavy pause. ‘No, nothing like that,’ he replied eventually, but I noticed that he didn’t make eye contact with me as he spoke. I decided not to push it, however, and maybe mention to Singh all that Saul had told me.

A moment later the bell rang and Saul left to teach a class. I hung around in the staffroom for a little while, but nobody else appeared so I went back outside.

The snow from the previous day had mostly melted, leaving piles of slush at the edges of the path. As I turned the corner towards the residence I heard footsteps and saw a movement out of the corner of my eye – a flash of a red coat disappearing around the side of the building, where I’d ventured yesterday to peer through the window. I followed whoever it was and rounded a corner to be faced with Samira, Leon’s best friend.

She made a half-hearted attempt to hide the cigarette she was holding behind her back, but I raised an eyebrow at her when a plume of smoke escaped from the corner of her mouth. With a shrug, she took another drag then looked me up and down.

You going to tell on me? she signed, the orange glow at the tip of her cigarette tracing a pattern in the air as she did.

I’m not a teacher, it’s not my job to tell you off, I replied. Besides, you already know it’s bad for you and it’ll make you stink. Me telling you that won’t make you quit.

She stifled a laugh. What do you want?

I saw you coming down here, thought I’d see who it was, I replied honestly.

And now you know, she replied with a combative stare.

You always smoke round here?

She nodded.

I thought about the footsteps I’d heard yesterday. Have you ever seen anything you shouldn’t?

A sly smile crept across her face. Maybe. Why?

Because your best friend is missing, I reminded her. And your head teacher is dead. The police need to know anything you’ve seen.