‘No, that’s her over there, putting her dirty plate and cutlery on the trolley.’

He nodded towards a woman with her back to them. She was dressed like the other employees and had shiny black hair neatly tied up in a bun.

He raised his voice. ‘Miss Wilson, could I have a word, please?’

Emma turned around and Jane was surprised to see a young woman of about her age, not the middle-aged woman she’d imagined. Although she only wore a little make-up her olive skin had a soft glow, which made her lips stand out. She had a slight Mediterranean appearance, with an hourglass figure, petite nose and brown doe eyes.

‘Yes, Mr Dobbs?’ she asked with an engaging smile as she walked over.

‘Let’s go sit over there, shall we . . . ? Away from prying ears.’ Dobbs pointed to a table in the far corner.

Jane spoke first in a soft and reassuring manner.

‘Hi, Emma, I’m Jane Tennison from the CID. I went to your flat earlier but as there was no one in I spoke to a neighbour who told me you work here. I wanted to speak to you about the crime report you made at Tottenham Police Station.’

‘Yes, certainly . . . Pleased to meet you.’ Emma put out her hand and Jane shook it.

Dobbs sat back and got a packet of cigarettes out of his jacket pocket, offering one to Jane. She wanted to be alone with Emma and didn’t fancy plumes of cigarette smoke billowing around while they spoke.

‘No thanks – I would love a cup of coffee though. Would you like one, Emma?’

‘A cup of tea would be nice, thank you,’ she replied.

Dobbs put the cigarettes back in his pocket as Jane opened her shoulder bag, but Dobbs said he’d get the drinks and asked Jane if she would like anything to eat. She looked over at the counter, saw some teacakes on a plate inside a glass dome cover and asked if she could have one with some butter and jam on it.

As Dobbs got up and left the table, Emma leant towards Jane and whispered, ‘Does Mr Dobbs know why I went to the police station the other night?’

‘Do you want him to?’

She shook her head. ‘No, my sister told me not to tell anyone other than the police for now.’

Jane decided it was best to be honest.

‘He was concerned about why I wanted to speak to you and mentioned you’d suffered verbal abuse from some local kids who also threw food at you. I told him a little lie and said it was about that – but he now thinks it’s happened again.’

Emma looked concerned. ‘Do you think I should tell him the truth?’

‘That’s up to you, but for now I think it’s best we keep it between the two of us and stick to the verbal abuse story.’