Leticia had never been invited to Verity’s home, but like many at the probation unit she had been party to the drama of its purchase a year previously. They had all overheard her many phone calls to solicitors and estate agents, the agonisingly long process always seeming close to collapse. She had to admit that she was looking forward to seeing what it was like inside now that she had an excuse.

She found the address easily enough. As she had glimpsed last night, the house was a tidy white bay-fronted Victorian terrace, with a neat front garden and recently clipped box hedge. Leticia parked the car outside and picked up her handbag, which contained the carefully wrapped spectacle arm. It was just gone ten, not too uncivilised a time.

She rang the doorbell. No reply. She pressed the bell again and eventually a very pale Verity in T-shirt and shorts pulled open the door, squinting against the light.

‘Oh, hi, I just sent you a text,’ she said sleepily. ‘How did you know where I lived?’

‘It was the address you gave to the taxi driver last night. I was in the cab with you.’

‘Of course. That’s all a bit of a haze. Come in, I’m just making some coffee.’

‘I just wanted to find out how you were.’ Leticia could see pristine pale carpets, a recently decorated hall with several mirrors. All very tasteful. She slipped off her shoes, and padded after Verity in her socks. She was led into a spacious kitchen with a view out over a neat garden.

‘I’m not too bad,’ replied Verity croakily, sweeping her hair back. Without make-up she looked younger and almost androgynous, like a perfect plastic mannequin. ‘I drank a pint of water before bed and that helped. The briefcase is utterly ruined though. I feel terrible about it, but I’ve had to throw it away.’

‘Oh no.’ Leticia hadn’t even made her own contribution to buying it yet. Jill’s hurried whip-round email was only sent last thing yesterday afternoon. Everyone had been asked to put in a tenner.

‘I feel awful, Leticia. Please don’t say anything.’

‘I won’t. Your secret’s safe with me.’

Verity smiled. ‘I really must thank you, too, for bundling me into a cab and looking after me. That was really kind.’ She began to prepare coffee.

After a couple more minutes Leticia decided now was the moment.

‘Look, Verity, there’s something I need to ask you. When I was fetching your bag from your car yesterday, I found a piece of broken spectacles in the boot.’

The silence was enormous and stretched-out. Verity turned back from the coffee mugs. Her face seemed to tighten, her eyes narrow. ‘Sorry,’ she finally said. ‘What did you find?’