Rachel sensed Clodagh was holding something back and didn’t want to end this interview without finding out what that was. She pretended to consult the slim folder of papers on the table in front of her, shuffling through them for a few seconds, hoping the pause would make Clodagh uncomfortable.

‘You stayed in the San Antonio Beach Resort,’ she said, looking back up at Clodagh.

‘What about it?’

‘I looked it up on the internet last night,’ Rachel said. ‘Gorgeous place. Boutique accommodation, adults only. And small. Thirty suites in total? I imagine you’d get to know most of the other guests who were staying there at the same time, wouldn’t you? Especially if you were already acquaintances.’

‘It wasn’t like that,’ Clodagh said. ‘Everyone had their own suite, with a private terrace and direct access to the beach. There was an option to eat all your meals in your room if you wanted to. You could easily spend the week there and not see anyone at all.’

‘Where did you eat your meals?’ Rachel said.

‘There was a little restaurant near the resort,’ Clodagh said. ‘I went there most evenings. You can ask me all you want about how well I knew the other guests, but I’m telling you, I didn’t want to mix with any of them. I spent most of the week alone, if you must know.’

‘Not with your sister?’

‘She liked being by the pool, I preferred being on the beach. We ate together some evenings, but not all of them. She didn’t like the restaurant I went to; and I didn’t like the one in the hotel.’

‘Why not?’

‘It was too pretentious for me,’ Clodagh said. ‘I preferred the other one. It was more traditional. And a hell of a lot quieter.’

‘When we first met,’ Rachel said, ‘you told me you still experience some cognitive processing issues. The way you explained it to me, you said that means you sometimes forget things. Isn’t it possible you did actually go outside and speak with Nick on Saturday night and you’ve simply forgotten that conversation ever took place?’

‘No.’ Clodagh shook her head. ‘I would have remembered something like that.’

By now, Clodagh was looking utterly miserable and Rachel felt a pang of sympathy for this young woman who’d already endured so much loss.

‘I’m sorry we have to put you through all this,’ Ade said softly, playing good cop to Rachel’s bad cop. ‘I know this must be very hard for you.’

‘It’s like the crash all over again,’ Clodagh said.

‘What do you mean?’ Rachel asked.

‘I keep thinking if I’d found him on Saturday night, he’d still be alive,’ Clodagh said. ‘I feel as if it’s my fault he was killed.’

‘How is that like the crash?’ Rachel said.