She opens the door to a small beige room, and gestures at the desk and six chairs in the centre. Does she know what I’m about to ask her? Is that why she wants me out of earshot of the other staff?

‘Take a seat. Would you like a tea or coffee? Some water?’

She radiates a happy, enthusiastic energy but there’s something strained about the smile that’s been fixed to her face since she spotted me in reception.

‘I’m fine. Thank you.’ I take the chair nearest the door.

‘How are you?’ she asks, leaning towards me, all bright enthusiasm and curiosity. ‘Is there any news about Billy? Anything I, or the school, could do to help?’

I shift in my chair, cross my ankles, then uncross them again. I can’t believe I’m doing this. Two days have passed since my conversation with Mark. Forty-eight torturous hours of going back and forward in my mind about whether or not this is a good idea.

‘Miss Christian.’

‘Yes.’

‘Have you been having an affair with my husband?’

She recoils, her chair creaking as she sits back. Her right hand flies to her chest. ‘I’m sorry?’

‘My husband. Mark Wilkinson. Have you been having an affair with him?’

‘No.’ Her hand drifts from her chest to her throat. ‘God, no.’

‘But you’ve kissed?’

‘What? No.’ She glances towards the window in the top of the closed office door as a student walks past. ‘Whatever gave you that— Oh.’ Her expression morphs from horror to understanding. ‘This is about what happened last year, isn’t it?’

I nod. ‘My brother-in-law told me that Billy saw you kissing. He put a brick through Mark’s car window.’

‘I didn’t know that.’

She sits forward in her chair again, her professional demeanour regained. ‘Mrs Wilkinson. I’m not sure what your brother-in-law told you but I think he might have got the wrong end of the stick. Your husband was very upset that night. I recognized him and went up to the bar to check if he was okay. He was …’ She glances towards the door again and lowers her voice. ‘He was very drunk. Very upset.’

‘And he tried to kiss you?’

‘Yes. But I rebuffed him. There really wasn’t anything to it. I left shortly afterwards.’

‘Did he say anything? After he tried to kiss you?’

She shifts in her seat. ‘I’m not sure it would be helpful if I—’

‘Please. What did he say?’