‘Bit like that sheep we saw up the glen, remember?’

‘Why are you so fascinated with dead things, Jamie!’

She pointed to his picture. ‘And, by the way, those pillar things are called high girders.’

‘Yeah, so they are.’ He nodded then looked at her over his mug. ‘Thing is, I know it was a disaster and all that, but it was a big deal at the time. It was the longest rail bridge in the whole world, imagine!’

Fiona nodded.

‘Why did they not have the other people’s names up on the memorial again? Mr Syme said there were maybe twenty more.’

‘Well, many bodies were never found, they’d have been washed out to sea.’

‘Could they still find one of the bodies now then, Mum? Would they carry on getting more and more swollen and huge and…’

‘I really doubt that. Far too late.’

Jamie got out a blue pencil and used wide strokes to colour in the river.

‘Did Mr Syme say what time of the day it happened? I thought it was night-time, so the river can’t have been blue, can it?’

Jamie looked up, perplexed. ‘Yeah, think he said seven o’clock. Blue’s for daytime, isn’t it?’ He got out a black pencil and started to shade in the river. ‘There, that looks more like night-time now.’

He pushed the picture towards Fiona and put his pencil down. ‘We’re getting ready for the Halloween party on Friday before half term. Can you make me a pumpkin lantern?’

‘I could have a go.’

Jamie picked up the mug and took a loud slurp.

‘Don’t be so noisy, Jamie. Any homework?’

‘Yes.’ He rammed in a large mouthful of rock bun then mumbled something, his mouth full. ‘Saw a man today who looked just like Pete.’

‘What?’

‘He was standing at the railings, with all the mums and dads.’ Jamie swallowed then took a gulp of tea. ‘They’re a bit dry, aren’t they?’

Fiona nodded, distracted.

‘What did he look like?’

Jamie shrugged. ‘Like Pete. He was tall like him, but more skinny. His face looked like his too. He had a cap on so I couldn’t see his hair.’

‘Who was he picking up?’ Fiona realised she was trembling.

‘Dunno. I turned round to say bye to Josh then when I turned back he’d gone.’ He pushed his plate away. ‘If I do my homework just now, can I go round to Jack’s for a game of football before tea?’ He ran over to the window and peered out. ‘There’s the four o’clock Edinburgh train coming over the bridge, Mum.’

Fiona was gazing at her son, deep in thought.

‘Okay, but this is Wednesday, doesn’t Jack have rugby after school today?’

Jamie’s shoulders fell. ‘So he does.’ He stood up. ‘Can I watch Robotboy instead then?’

‘Yeah.’ Fiona picked up the mugs. ‘Jamie, what else was this man wearing?’