Jane Villiers ushered us through into her living room, which looked like nothing had changed in it in several decades. The furniture was good quality but well worn, with a faded floral pattern on the matching sofa and chairs. The carpet was thick and there was a Persian-style rug in the middle of the floor that looked like the dog had been chewing it. Anna and I settled ourselves on the threadbare sofa, the dog coming and lying by our feet. I leant down and scratched him behind the ears, earning a thump of his tail in response.

So, what brings you to my neck of the woods? Jane asked Anna.

Anna smiled. Paige told me you’d retired, and I got to thinking about my time at school. I wanted to see you and find out how you’re getting on.

And this sudden nostalgia has nothing to do with the murder of my successor?

Anna shuffled awkwardly in her chair, but it was clear that Jane Villiers still had the skills required to get the truth out of people.

We wanted to talk to you about why you left, Anna told her, wincing slightly in case her statement was met with anger, but instead Jane looked sad.

I did wonder if someone might be coming to ask me about that, but I’m surprised it’s not the police. Her eyes darted between the two of us.

The police know you retired in the summer, that’s all, I told her, and she frowned at me. I’m interpreting for the investigation, I clarified, in case she was wondering where I got my information from. Nobody has told the detectives that you left early.

Well. I don’t know whether to be pleased or annoyed about that, she replied. I expect the school has done an awful lot to try and hush it up. I can’t see how it can relate to what happened to that man, or to poor Leon. Have they found him yet?

I shook my head, and her frown deepened.

What actually happened, Jane? Anna probed. A couple of people I know said it was something to do with safeguarding … She trailed off, hoping to prompt Jane into filling in the gaps.

The older woman sat back in her chair and crossed her legs, fixing Anna with a steely gaze. Do you think it has any relevance?

Anna looked at me before she replied. We don’t know. But we thought the police should know about it, in case it did.

Jane nodded. Sensible, especially when there’s a child missing. She took a drink of tea, then looked at us. I’m not proud of how things went, but I can’t say I would do it differently if it happened again.

Anna and I both nodded but didn’t interrupt. Jane was clearly building up to the story and we didn’t want to derail her train of thought.