‘Oh, never mind. It’s probably not fair to ask you. I’d better go and move the car before I get clamped.’

‘You’ll be fine. The warden walked down here about two minutes before you arrived. It’ll be at least another hour before she comes back. Probably more like two.’

I stifle an eye-roll. A minute ago she was telling me I’d get clamped, when she knew the whole time that I’d be safe for ages. ‘That’s great. But still, I should go. You don’t need me here, keeping you out in the rain.’

‘I don’t mind. So, what was it you wanted to ask me?’ She leans forward. ‘I can’t promise I’ll be able to help you, but I’ll try my best.’

‘That’s so kind of you, but…’ I pause as if weighing up what to do for the best. ‘Well, if you’re sure…’

‘I am. Ask away.’

‘Like I said, the Morris family have moved in next door to us. The thing is, I heard recently about his stint in prison.’

‘Terrible business,’ she says again.

‘Well, we have two young children and so naturally we were a little worried—’

‘Of course you were. Who wouldn’t be?’

‘So I wondered if you knew what it was that he was convicted of, and whether you could tell me if you think he’s dangerous, or violent.’

She shakes her head and repeats her favourite line: ‘Terrible, terrible business. But I can put your mind at rest on that score; you’ve no need to worry about Shaun.’

‘I haven’t?’

‘No, dear. He’s not violent as far as I’m aware. He went to prison for tax evasion.’

‘Really?’ That news has really surprised me. I was convinced she was going to tell me he was guilty of GBH or assault, or some kind of domestic violence. But tax evasion… I mean, it’s bad, of course it is, but it’s not exactly dangerous. ‘Are you absolutely sure that’s what he was in for? It’s not just a rumour? Because I know how these things can spread.’

‘One hundred per cent sure.’ She gives me a self-satisfied smile. ‘Bit of a scandal, actually. He was working on a few local building projects and he had to abandon them halfway through – he’d already been paid deposits for the work which, I might add, his clients lost. Thousands of pounds apparently. He didn’t pay his tradesmen either. My nephew owns a roofing firm and told me all about it. There was quite an outcry at the time. I think one of his clients went to the papers, but I believe only the local one picked it up.’

That’s why I couldn’t find anything online – I didn’t dig deep enough. I make suitable tutting noises. ‘So there’s nothing I need to be wary of from the Morrises?’