‘Well . . .’ Julian folded his arms and stared at her. ‘I can tell you what’s going through mine. Yesterday, your drunken, unstable ex-husband tried to assault me in the middle of the high street. He threatened to kill me.’

‘Oh, for goodness’ sake, Julian! He didn’t mean it!’

‘Who knows if he did or he didn’t? And that’s the point: I can understand your relief that Rory is ostensibly safe, but really, Angelina, do you think David, in his current frame of mind, is the right person to look after Rory?’

She looked at him quizzically. ‘David might be an alcoholic, but he’d never harm a hair on Rory’s head. He adores him.’

‘Fine. Maybe he won’t harm him, but I can give you a few uncomfortable scenarios which you should contemplate: firstly, David might get behind the wheel of a car drunk. Secondly, he may already have absconded abroad with Rory. Thirdly, do you know when David is going to hand Rory back, if ever?’

Angelina put her fingers to her temples and shook her head. ‘Stop it, Julian, please! I can’t take any more, really I can’t. I have to believe Rory is safe with his father, I really do.’

Julian stood up and walked towards her. He opened his arms and pulled her into them. ‘There, there. I’m sorry, darling. Of course I don’t want to upset you. It’s just the lawyer in me making me look on the bleakest side. I’ve seen too many children abducted by desperate parents. This situation with Rory sounds all too familiar.’

‘Well, I’m going to text David back now and ask him to tell me exactly where they are and when they’re coming home. I’m sure he will.’

‘And if he doesn’t?’

‘He will.’

‘Okay, but if David doesn’t text back by tomorrow morning, letting you know exactly where he is, you’ll have no option but to get the police involved. Now, go and telephone the school and let them know you’ve heard from David. I’ll be with you in a moment. I’m just finishing something off.’

He gave her bottom a small tap and sent her out of the room, then turned back to the computer and continued writing his email. His usual calm composure undermined, he noticed his palms were sweating as he pressed ‘send’.

Sighing heavily, he turned off the computer.

He hoped he’d get a response by tomorrow.

Never mind the kid . . . Julian Forbes had problems of his own.

Chapter Thirteen

Jazz walked across Trinity Great Court towards the porter’s lodge.

Loitering under the arch with his back towards her was an unusually tall man.

Jazz walked up to him and tapped him on the shoulder.

‘Hello, are you Jonathan?’

He swung round, startled. ‘Yes. Sorry, I was assuming you would come in the other way.’

‘My mother and father have their rooms just over there, on the Court. I went to see them for lunch.’

‘Yes, I know. I mean, I know where your parents live. I should have thought.’ Jonathan smiled then stuck out his hand awkwardly. ‘Well, good to meet you, Inspector Hunter.’