‘I don’t think so,’ he says. ‘I’m looking after her but she supports me as well. She’d do anything for me, but I don’t want her working. She needs to focus on school. She’s the last thing keeping me here, you know. If I ever lost her, I’d grab a taxi and take the next flight out. I wouldn’t hesitate.’

I make a note. Family only attachment to place, flight risk.

‘So why were you really late?’ he asks. My heart sinks again, and I see that image, the missing head, I see the flames and I’m reminded of a hard fact: someone wanted to hurt us.

‘We had a fire at our house last night. No big deal.’

‘A fire? What sort of fire?’

The breathless roar, flames climbing the walls. I think of the bottle someone threw – a Molotov cocktail, Gabe had said. ‘It was big. We’re staying in a hotel now until the insurance people have been through. It’s all a headache.’

‘Oh shit, I’m sorry Mrs. This was last night?’

I nod.

‘I feel lousy now. You didn’t have to come in to see me – I ain’t even paying. You could have charged the dean for the appointment and I wouldn’t tell.’

Adam probably owes me an appointment fee anyway, I joke to myself. ‘I have ethics protocols which I must adhere to.’

‘And what a shame that is,’ he says, with a laugh. I feel that familiar flush in my cheeks. Keep it professional, Margot. For the second time he’s made a comment that could be construed as inappropriate. I stare straight into his eyes. ‘Sorry, I shouldn’t talk like that. What I’m saying is, that’s a big deal; you shouldn’t be in here dealing with reprobates like me.’

‘Well you’re certainly not a reprobate and it’s a good way to take my mind of things.’

‘I don’t have much in the way of money but why don’t we get a pint? I feel like you could do with the afternoon off.’

I swallow. I’ve let it get too casual in this session. ‘No, Cormac. That’s kind of you, but it wouldn’t be a good idea for me as your psychologist to socialise.’

‘Right you are,’ he says. ‘I thought it was a long shot. Another time then.’

I purse my lips and give a small nod. ‘Maybe one day,’ I say, knowing it’s very unlikely. ‘For now, I want you to tell me more about your mother, and how your relationship changed after the incident with your father.’

Prosecutor: ‘Would the witness now please read the document Exhibit B aloud for the court?’

Simms: ‘Documentary evidence – Exhibit B: Personal diary extract.