But Freddie didn’t move, instead, he stared ahead, and Bella followed his gaze to see a police car arriving. Two police officers exited and searched around. They spoke to Hazel at the information point who sent them in Bella’s direction.

Fear tightened her stomach and her mind played through a number of terrifying scenarios. Had something happened to her mum and dad? To Caro? To the baby?

‘Mr Cowley?’ the taller of the two called.

Nick’s jaw set firm. ‘That’s me.’

‘Can we speak to you please?’

‘Of course. Freddie, why don’t you go and play?’

He shook his head until Bella encouraged him. Reluctantly, he moved away, glancing over his shoulder all the while.

‘Is everything all right?’

‘I’m afraid not, sir. You’d better tell us what happened with Seymour Cole because he wants us to arrest you for assault.’

Chapter 17

‘But he attacked me. He—’

‘We just want to ask you a few questions at this stage, Mr Cowley. We’re still gathering information about what happened and talking to witnesses.’

‘Can we just go over here?’ Nick signalled away from Bella as heat prickled his skin. Freddie was playing on the swings, though he continued to watch what was happening. Bella made her way towards him, and Freddie left the swing to talk to her. Her face was calm and placid, understanding, and Nick knew she was comforting him, letting him know everything would be all right. She was a pretty amazing woman – friend – neighbour – he definitely meant neighbour.

When they were nearer the trees and away from the crowd, the taller policeman pulled out a notebook and began asking questions. ‘So can you tell me what happened on Tuesday, Mr Cowley?’

‘There’s not much to say, really. There was an incident at school involving our two boys. Bella – I mean – Miss Moore over there will be able to tell you more about that. She dealt with it along with Mrs White, the headmistress, and Miss Radcliffe, my son’s class teacher. But the upshot is, Mr Cole’s boy attacked mine and got himself excluded from school for the day.’ Nick ran his hand over his jaw. ‘Then just after I’d got Freddie home, Mr Cole turns up on my doorstep shouting his mouth off, calling my son a liar.’

‘So you hit him?’ the smaller, rounder one said. From his smug grin, Nick had the feeling he lived his life as if he were in some kind of police drama and not patrolling the tiniest village in England and its even smaller neighbours.