‘I’m not from Tottenham CID – I actually work for the Flying Squad. We investigate robberies and your details were passed to us by the sergeant Emma spoke to on Tuesday. Are you still happy to talk to me about what you saw and lip-read in the cafe on Monday morning?’

Rachel nodded and did a hand movement as if she was holding a pen and writing on her hand, then jumped out of her chair and left the room.

‘Did I say something to upset her?’

‘No, she’s just going to get the pad that she made notes in.’

Rachel returned to the room and offered the notepad to Jane. Jane signalled for her to keep it.

‘It would be better if I read what you’ve written after I’ve interviewed you. You can use your notes to refresh your memory of what happened as we go along. I was wondering what’s the best way to do this. Should I speak to you direct, or to Emma, who can then sign the questions to you?’

Emma interjected, ‘It might be best to do both, just in case she has difficulty with anything you ask. I can translate her replies for you if they’re more than a nod or shake of the head.’

Rachel did a thumbs-up.

‘As you tell me what happened, take your time, and if you change your mind about anything then please tell me. Firstly, Rachel, I just need to confirm that you’re referring to the Bluebird cafe in Bruce Grove, Tottenham.’ Rachel nodded, and Jane continued. ‘And the date you saw the two men who might have been talking about a robbery was Monday the twenty-first of April.’

Rachel did another thumbs-up.

‘Had you seen them in the cafe before?’

Rachel nodded.

‘Do you know their names by any chance?’

‘I asked her that the other night and she said she doesn’t, but at one point the man whose lips she read referred to the man sat opposite him as Tommy.’

Rachel signed to Emma that Nick, the owner of the cafe, might know their names as the one who might be called Tommy often comes into the cafe in the morning.

‘Does the other man go there often?’ Jane asked.

Rachel shrugged and signed.

Emma looked at Jane. ‘She said maybe once or twice a week, usually on a Monday or a Friday and sometimes both.’

‘How long have you been using the cafe?’ Jane asked Rachel.

Emma waited for her to finish signing. ‘She said since she started working at the sorting office, which was about two years ago. She goes there most weekdays for her meal break, which is between nine and 9.45. The two men only started coming in about six months ago.’