The woman from the legal team lifted a hand and waved an index finger between herself and the human resources manager. ‘Perhaps you could explain the implication of that to us, Katy.’

The manager tapped the report. ‘Since everything tallies, how do we explain the medicine pot of medication?’ She looked across the desk, her face pinched into lines of disdain. ‘The only explanation is that some medication wasn’t dispensed to the residents during the day. But there is another, and far more sinister side to this. And that is why were the tablets found in Daisy’s room?’ She let that thought float around the room before picking up yet another sheet of paper. ‘I spoke to one of the care assistants,’ she said, putting the sheet down and looking back to Jodie. ‘She said that on the Monday morning you stated that Mrs Courtland had no quality of life, is that correct?’

Jodie heard the indrawn gasps from the others and felt herself go cold. Katy’s insinuation that Jodie had planned to give the medication to poor Daisy was breathtaking. There was no need to ask who the care assistant was. A woman a little older than Jodie who’d started work in the home only a few months before. New to care work, her previous employment having been in the retail sector, she’d been on a lengthy induction and was reasonably adept. But her attitude was appalling. Only a wet week in the place and while still on induction, she was telling other more experienced staff what to do. Jodie had noticed too, that she was nicer and kinder to the residents when their family members were present. Jodie remembered the conversation she’d had with her, remembered asking her to spend more time with the less fortunate of their residents, those who had nobody to visit. They’d been near room six at the time and Jodie had indicated the room as an example. She had said poor Daisy had no quality of life, but that was only a part of the sentence.

‘I remember telling one of the care staff that Mrs Courtland had no quality of life unless we ensured she had by spending time with her, sitting with her when we could, trying to engage with her.’ She lifted her chin. ‘It sounds like your care assistant has a very selective memory.’

‘She is a very valued member of the team,’ Katy said, ‘but since we’re discussing selective memories, what are your thoughts on why a container of medication was found in Mrs Courtland’s room?’

‘Could they have been left there the previous day?’ Ivy Skellin spoke into the silence.

Jodie’s eyes brightened. Of course, that must be it. Not her fault at all.