‘With threats and verbal intimidation. She maligned Amber and her work, and made it clear she was out for revenge.’

Williams took that in.

‘Why do you think she feels so protective towards you around Ms Greville? Is there any logic to her behaviour?’

‘She’s jealous!’ I said, the words coming out a little too fast, a little too hard. I took a breath. ‘She feels threatened by our relationship, like Amber’s taken me away from her. When the truth is, Amber saved me. I… I’m not sure I’d even be here without her.’

Williams looked slightly unnerved, and I subtly rearranged my expression. I’d been shocked sometimes when I’d seen the look my fellow disciples had when they spoke about her – the one I knew I had, too, but never saw in a mirror. It was lovestruck.

‘So now I need you to be precise about the subsequent events. You say that she’s refusing to leave you alone, so I need you to share all of the text and email exchanges which demonstrate you asking her to desist from contact, and her overriding it.’

‘Absolutely,’ I said, forcing my voice back to the calm glaze that had impressed her at the start of the interview. ‘I’ve printed off all of the documentary evidence and brought it with me for you.’

It turned out to be the perfect gift to win her over – she reached eagerly for the clear plastic wallet, thumbing swiftly through its contents like it was an airport thriller.

‘I can see that her tone is intimidating, Rachel,’ she said, looking up. She paused, cocked her head. ‘If you don’t mind me asking, has your relationship always been difficult?’

My eyes suddenly filled with hot tears. I scrubbed at them with the dark sleeve of my work jacket, embarrassed.

‘Sorry…’ I said. ‘I’m so sorry.’

‘Don’t apologize,’ said Williams kindly. ‘Do you want a cup of tea? This is the suite for people reporting – the nasty stuff – so we’ve got our own kettle.’ She mimed a little cheer. ‘Yay!’

I laughed, grabbing a tissue from the box I’d just spotted on the windowsill. She was an empirically nice person.

‘Yes, it has always been difficult,’ I said. ‘My parents have quite a toxic relationship, my dad’s not been entirely faithful, and I’ve had to…’ Words defeated me, but I could tell that, in this case, silence really was the louder option. ‘It’s been really hard,’ I said eventually.

We sat there for a second, the energy settling.