“Sorry Jane, I was just … I was …” Her gaze flits around the room. “I was just checking my email. I … I … um … I’ve been waiting to hear back from a job I applied for, and with all of you out in the yard I thought … I …”

“But you know employed staff are the only ones allowed to use the computers, don’t you? It’s Green Fields’ policy. Sheila will have explained that to you in your induction.”

“She did and, yes, I do; I do know that. But I was just passing and the computer was on and …” She pauses and looks down at her hands. “I’m sorry, Jane. I was desperate. I haven’t been able to concentrate all morning.”

Her phone is on the table next to the mouse. It’s a top-of-the-range Android model; I remember her showing it to me on her first day when she was telling me what great photos it takes.

“Couldn’t you have checked your email on your phone? I thought you had 3G. That’s what you said.”

“I have but” – she reaches for her phone and shoves it into her pocket – “I’m out of data for this month.”

“There are some very sensitive files on the computer, Angharad. Case histories, evidence for court, reports from the animal behaviourist, that sort of thing. We can’t let just anyone—”

“I know, and I only accessed my Yahoo mail. I promise.” She jumps up from the chair and crosses the room towards me. “Please, Jane, don’t say anything to Sheila. It was a one-off. I promise.”

She holds out her hands, imploringly. Her cheeks are flushed and her eyes shining – either with excitement or adrenaline, I can’t be sure.

“I don’t know, Angharad.” I shake my head. “I really have to say—”

I’m interrupted by the tinkling tune of my mobile. I reach into my pocket and pull it out as Angharad continues to step from foot to foot, wringing her hands in front of her. The call is from an unknown number.

“Hello?” I press the phone to my ear.

There’s a pause then, “Emma, is that you? It’s Al.”

“Al?” The world stills and the only thing I’m aware of is the banging of my heart in my chest. “Al?” A look of curiosity crosses Angharad’s face and I wave her away. “I’ll see you back in the compound in five minutes. The blankets and dog toys need washing, if you could do that.”

“But …”

“Five minutes.”

I step into the staffroom and gesture for her to leave. She hesitates then slips past me, her eyes trained on the phone in my hand as she leaves the room. I close the door behind her.

“Sorry,” Al says in my ear. “Do you want me to ring back in five minutes, or something?”