‘It’s been a shock to the boys, of course it has. Obviously they’ve been affected in some ways, however hard we’ve attempted to minimise the impact of it. But … caused a lot of upset?’ I say, accentuating her phrase. ‘No, it’s been an amicable split with no arguments.’ I reconsider this statement and add, ‘Not in front of the boys, anyway. There have been some minor disagreements, but they were really nothing the boys would’ve picked up on. I make sure they don’t.’ My face is hot, probably glowing red. I hate feeling the need to explain myself to this twenty-something teacher. My skin tingles under the unspoken accusation that my marital issues have adversely affected my children.

‘I only ask because Leo’s behaviour has been of some concern this past week.’

‘A whole week? Then why is this the first I’m hearing about it?’

‘We try to deal with behavioural problems as they arise, and at first I didn’t link it to anything in particular.’

‘But now?’

‘He said something today that set an alarm bell off.’

Oh, God. What has he said?

My mouth is too dry to speak, so I nod instead.

‘A few times, I’ve had to wake Leo up,’ she says. I want to butt in, but hold back. ‘When I asked him why he was so tired, he told me he was having bad dreams. Nightmares, he said.’

Now I know the issue is merely Leo falling asleep, the saliva in my mouth returns. ‘Yes, he’s suffered from night terrors from very early on. It’s not a new thing …’ I say. Although if it’s got to a stage where he’s falling asleep in class, that is still worrying. But it’s not as bad as the other things flying through my head when she mentioned alarm bells.

‘Hmmm …’ Miss Emery shoots me a concerned glance. Great, now she’ll inform all the teachers that Leo Miller has been experiencing difficulties for ages and their mother hasn’t bothered to inform the school. Social services will be next. She takes a deep breath. I sense more is coming.

‘Say what’s on your mind, Miss Emery. Don’t sugar-coat it on my account.’

‘Are you in a new relationship, Amber?’

I’m not sure where this is going, but my instinct tells me to brace myself. ‘Yes, why?’

‘It might be unconnected …’

‘What might be?’

‘Leo said his nightmares are about the man who is in the house. He wouldn’t go into detail, but you can see this has raised a number of concerns?’

My mind races as quickly as my pulse. What could he mean by that? I calm my thoughts and consider it rationally. As I’m thinking it, I convey my theory to Miss Emery.