‘Oh, okay. We’ve never been in the shed, I promise. Dad said never to go in there as there were old tools and stuff of Grandad’s and it was dangerous. He said that’s why it’s got a lock on it.’

‘Yes, that’s right, love.’

‘So how could we have got the picture from in there, then?’ Finley says.

I smile. ‘You couldn’t have, could you. Silly me. I’d forgotten about the lock Daddy put on it.’

That’s another mystery to add to the ever-growing list then. Who did bring that picture into the house? Until yesterday, I hadn’t even checked the padlock on the shed, though. There’s nothing to say it’s the original one Nick fitted. And someone with a key could’ve simply walked in, got the picture, then locked up behind themselves. I don’t think the boys would’ve done that.

I’ll have to ask Nick about it. Something else I’ll have to go to him for.

Once we’re within sight of Finley’s mates, he jets off. I shout goodbye after him and walk with Leo to his end of the school. I need to brave it and ask Miss Emery why she reacted the way she did when I told her my estate agent was Carl Anderson. I follow Leo into the building, watch him hang his coat on his peg and then walk behind him into his classroom. There’s no sign of Miss Emery. I hear a male voice I don’t recognise saying good morning to the children as they file into the classroom. I smile and head towards him.

‘Morning. Where’s Miss Emery?’

‘She hasn’t made it in today, unfortunately,’ he says.

‘Oh, is she sick?’

‘Not sure, we’re presuming so. We haven’t actually heard from her yet. I was here anyway, so I’m standing in for her.’ He gives me a wide grin, and tells me he’s Mr Welland, a supply teacher.

Typical. I should’ve gone back into the classroom yesterday and asked Miss Emery there and then. Now I’m going to have to wait to find out. It was probably nothing. And thinking about it, maybe she was pale because she was sickening from something.

‘Oh, well, hopefully I’ll catch her tomorrow.’ I check to see where Leo is – he’s in the corner, sitting on the mat with a group of children. ‘She told me after school yesterday that she was concerned about Leo. She said he was tired and falling asleep in class,’ I say in a hushed voice.

‘Oh, okay. I’ll keep an eye on him, don’t worry.’

‘Thank you, that would be appreciated.’