The taxi pulled away and Maggie joined Tom who was peering through the glass. ‘I thought the place would be swarming with police cars,’ he said. Maggie rapped her knuckles on the door, making Tom pull his head back.

The blinds moved and drew their attention. ‘Christine, it’s us,’ called Tom and he gave a wave at the now empty window.

They heard Christine undo the interior door before she appeared and let them in. ‘How did they get in?’ asked Tom, swooping inside.

‘Are you all right?’ asked Maggie, taking Christine by the arms and checking her over.

‘Mmm. You’d better come in,’ said Christine, locking up behind them and following them into the library.

Tom and Maggie scanned the room. ‘What did they take?’ asked Tom.

‘Sit down,’ said Christine, pulling out a chair. Tom and Maggie reluctantly sat down while Christine hovered behind a chair. A rap on the door had her apologising and scurrying off to answer it.

‘What’s going on?’ whispered Tom to Maggie.

‘Absolutely no idea,’ she replied.

‘Oh crap,’ said Tom, spotting who was at the door.

Farah came hesitantly inside. ‘Hi.’ She gave an awkward wave to Maggie and Tom. ‘I came as soon as I got the message.’

‘I’ve got to go.’ Tom limped for the door and Christine blocked his exit.

‘What’s wrong with your leg?’ asked Farah, her brow puckered with concern.

‘Got knocked off my bike,’ said Tom.

Farah pulled her head back as if the words had punched her. ‘Hell. Are you all right?’

‘Massive bruise on my thigh. Bike got mangled…’ He glanced at Maggie. ‘But Maggie got it fixed for me.’

‘You could have been seriously hurt,’ said Farah.

‘Yeah, well,’ said Tom, putting his hands in his trouser pockets. He tilted his head towards the door. ‘I should go.’ He gave Farah a wistful look.

‘Can I update everyone first?’ said Christine, wringing her hands.

‘Don’t leave because of me, Tom,’ said Farah. ‘The library being vandalised affects us all.’

Tom spun around. ‘Vandalised? I thought you said burgled.’ He pointed at Maggie.

‘Yes, Christine, said it had been burgled. Didn’t you, Christine?’ asked Maggie.

‘I think you all need to sit down.’ Christine tried to usher them onto chairs. Farah and Tom sat either side of Maggie. Everyone waited.

‘What’s going on?’ asked Tom, scanning the room again. Maggie was thinking the same as him: she couldn’t see any sign of a burglary or vandalism.

Christine slunk into a seat opposite the three of them making it look like she was being interviewed by a panel. ‘Please let me explain.’

Christine put her hands together as if she were praying and stared at her fingers as she spoke. ‘I didn’t know what else to say that would get you all to come tonight.’ She looked up. ‘I’m really sorry but now you’re all here…’ She gave a fleeting smile.