Nick’s entire body began to shake, and he went to sit down on one of the tiny children’s chairs. Freddie sat beside him, closer than he’d ever been before. Nick couldn’t say out loud the thoughts running through his head. He wanted to get hold of that boy and question him himself. He didn’t believe in smacking children, but he’d love to take away some of his toys and teach him a lesson or two. He wanted to have a word with the parents as well.

‘I’m so sorry, Mr Cowley,’ said Bella. ‘Amias was sent home and won’t be allowed in school tomorrow, and Miss Radcliffe has looked after Freddie all afternoon. We got him to pop on his PE kit so he wasn’t in wet trousers and I’ve bagged those up for you. We did ask if he wanted to go and sit in Mrs White’s office, but he preferred to stay in class with his friends.’

Miss Radcliffe nodded. ‘All the other children have helped look after him too. They’ve been checking on him and some even fetched his bag and coat and tidied all his things away for him at home time.’

‘And of course,’ said Mrs White, ‘we’ll be putting measures in place to make sure this never happens again. If Amias cannot play nicely in the playground with other children, he won’t be allowed out and can stay inside with me. I’m going to have a think about other things we need to do, but I thought you might prefer to talk about those at a later date. I’m sure right now you just want to get home with Freddie. Freddie?’ Mrs White bent down in front of him, so she was at eye level. ‘I’m very proud of you. You did exactly the right thing going straight to a teacher and not hitting back. What Amias has done is very serious and very wrong and I want you to know I won’t put up with it.’

Nick stood and tried to smile but he knew it was a pale imitation of one. ‘Thanks for looking after him.’

His eyes met Bella’s and his throat tightened again at her sorrowful expression. He had the urge to hug her and tell her it was all right. For a fleeting moment, the thought of holding her sent a shot of happiness through the fog of anger and pain that had wrapped around him since he got the message. Since Paige left, if he was honest.

After a second too long, she tore her eyes away. ‘You’ve done brilliantly today, Freddie. You’re a real credit to your dad and this school. Go on home now and have a good night’s sleep, and I promise you, I won’t let anything else like this happen again. Okay?’

Freddie nodded.