‘I know you don’t want to report the abuse incidents you and Rachel have suffered to the police but you really should so there’s an official record. You also need to explain you’re worried any investigation would lead to further abuse. That way you’d also have the police on your side when you ask for a move.’

Emma stopped walking and looked at Jane.

‘Could you maybe help us write a letter?’

‘I’ll do what I can to help, but the local police are your best bet for direct communication with the council. My current inspector worked at Tottenham CID before being moved to the Flying Squad – he might know an experienced detective there you could talk to. I’ll have a word with him when I’m back at the office.’

‘Thank you, Jane. I appreciate your help – and so will Rachel.’

‘I don’t want to appear nosy, but can I ask how you ended up in a flat on the Broadwater?’

‘It was the only place Haringey Council offered us. We hadn’t seen it and didn’t know what the estate was like when we accepted it.’ She pointed across the road. ‘The sorting office is that way.’

Jane could see a railway bridge with a sign saying ‘Bruce Grove’, then as they walked under the bridge, the street sign for Moorfield Road on her left and the Bluebird cafe on the corner of the junction with Bruce Grove.

‘That’s the cafe Rachel uses – the bingo and snooker hall are just up there on the other side of the road.’

Jane could tell from its shape and size that it had once been a large cinema.

As they turned into Moorfield Road, Jane noticed a menu stuck to the inside of the cafe window and pretended to look at it so she could see the layout of the interior. The premises were a reasonable size, with a lino floor and nine square wooden four-seater tables and chairs laid out in three rows of three. The tables were covered in red and white check plastic tablecloths, and on each one there was a red squeezy tomato-shaped sauce dispenser, pepper and salt shakers and a bowl of sugar lumps. The cooking and serving area were at the far end, and the cafe was about three quarters full of tradesmen having their lunch. Next to the menu was a notice saying: STAFF REQUIRED – MALE OR FEMALE – REASONABLE HOURLY RATES – APPLY WITHIN OR CALL NICK ON 808 9611.