‘Maybe he got what he wanted. Probably just enough to go home and rub one out. That’s the sort of person you’re talking about,’ Glenn said. The smile on his face now had an edge of sympathy.

‘You don’t think he knows anything? You think it was just a windup?’

‘Twelve months later. Why come to you now? And when you’re chatting to your wife’s headstone. That’s an emotive place, he could have bet on a reaction there. I think he might have got what he wanted.’

‘I’ve been thinking about it ever since. I’m worried that I won’t be able to stop thinking about it until I know for sure,’ Richard said.

‘Tell you what, did he leave a number or anything? I’ll give him a call. I’ll be happy to. I’ll meet this arsehole in person. He won’t get a reaction from me, then we’ll see his agenda for what it is.’ The smile was gone; Glenn’s tone was full of anger and determination.

‘He didn’t leave me anything.’

Glenn’s anger dropped away with a longer sigh this time. ‘Of course he didn’t! Think about that. If he was serious, of course he would have left you some way of getting back to him. Time-wasting arsehole. I wouldn’t give him another thought. That’s half the problem, I think – you’ve got plenty of time to sit and think.’

Richard sat back to slurp his tea. Glenn was right. He felt sure now. He did talk about Angela a lot, maybe he had told the story about Missy to someone. This man had spotted a weakness and got the reaction he was after. Richard wasn’t angry anymore. He felt relieved.

‘You’re right. Thinking doesn’t do anyone any good.’

‘Did I tell you that? Sounds like the sort of thing I would say.’ Glenn was smiling again. ‘You were talking about getting back into work. I think that’s a good idea. You liked it there.’

‘I’m ready. I keep meaning to call up and make an appointment to go and see my manager.’

‘Appointment? It’s a shop, ain’t it? Pop in there on the way back and see if you can talk to someone now. At least get the ball rolling.’ Glenn was back to picking at the top of his blueberry cake.

‘Maybe I will. Thanks, Glenn.’

‘My pleasure. Have you talked to your boy recently? I’ve told you before that you should lean on him more. You’re always a better bloke to have a cup of tea with when you’ve spent some time with your grandson.’

‘Colin’s busy. He has his own life, his own family. The last thing he wants is his old man calling him up with silly problems.’ Richard couldn’t hide the melancholy in his own voice. He didn’t want it to be true but he didn’t think he was very welcome at his son’s house.

‘You’re family. And this ain’t some silly problem.’