Finally, she dialled Celestria and was answered on the second ring.

A tense voice answered, ‘Hello?’

‘Hi, Mum, only me.’

‘Oh, thank goodness. I thought it might be the hospital.’

‘Sorry to scare you. I only wanted to know how you and Dad were. I didn’t wake you, did I?’

‘No, I was just dozing. They told me to take a sleeping pill, but I’d worry I wouldn’t hear the phone if it rang.’

‘Take one, Mum. You need your rest too. How is he?’

‘Much improved, darling, really. But as that rather patronising consultant says to me time and again, not out of the woods yet.’

‘You must feel Dad’s a lot better, if you were prepared to come home tonight.’

‘He is, Jazmine, and if he carries on progressing without any setbacks, he should make it. He’s an amazing man, your father,’ she said, with a catch in her voice.

‘I know. I’m hoping to be able to visit him on the weekend. I’d like to come tomorrow, but this case is at its zenith, and Patrick has been behaving true to form.’ Jazz sighed.

‘Oh dear. Didn’t realise he was on the case. Sorry, darling.’

‘He wasn’t, but . . . oh . . .’ Jazz yawned. ‘It’s a long story, Mum.’

‘Poor old you. I’m sure that’s the last thing you wanted.’

‘Yes, but, in a strange way, it’s done me good: helped me remember why I was so unhappy and why I left Patrick . . . flushed any lingering romantic thoughts away.’

‘Well, don’t be too hard on yourself, Jazz. We all remember the good times, and try and forget the bad. It’s human nature, and thank God for it.’

‘Unless forgetting leads you down the wrong path again,’ Jazz murmured.

‘Patrick came up trumps for you yesterday, didn’t he?’ Celestria said gently. ‘And when his ego isn’t getting in the way and he isn’t feeling threatened, I think he cares for you. That isn’t to say that either of us ever thought he was right for you. And sometimes love can be terribly destructive.’

‘Yes, I certainly agree with that.’ Jazz yawned. ‘Right, Mum, please promise to keep in touch with me. I’m going to be up to my eyes tomorrow, so I’d be so grateful if you could leave me a message to say Dad’s okay.’

‘Of course I will. Now, you get some sleep as well and good luck tomorrow.’

‘Thanks, Mum. Night.’

‘Night, darling. Sleep tight.’

As she sank gratefully under the duvet, Jazz lay in the darkness and thought of all the people today whose lives had not been enhanced by love, but destroyed.

Jazz tapped on Jenny Colman’s front door at half past seven the following morning.

‘Who is it?’ Jenny called from inside.

‘Inspector Hunter, Ms Colman. Sorry to bother you so early, but I wanted to catch you before you left for school. Can I come in?’

‘Why yes, of course, Inspector.’ Jenny looked flustered as she opened the door, then led Jazz into her tiny sitting room. ‘I’m not in any trouble, am I?’