It seemed there was nothing more she could do except let Amias’s parents know at the end of the day and hope it didn’t happen again. Nina would be speaking to Nick. If something else did happen and she found out that Amias had done something to Freddie on purpose, the boy would be cutting out paper strips for paper chains from now until New Year.

The end of the day arrived swiftly and after an early Christmas story – Bella loved reading her class The Night Before Christmas and they got through it about ten times before December even arrived – they were packed up and ready to go in no time.

Amias’s mum was one of the first she spotted when she opened the door to let them out. Luckily, Amias was at the back of the line, which meant she could send off the other children before she spoke to her. Nick wasn’t outside Nina’s classroom yet but then he was always late. Nina had asked for Bella’s advice at the start of the school year because it had got so disappointing for Freddie to be at the front of the queue, get to the door and not see him, and Bella had suggested Nina give him a little task to do so he ended up at the back of the line. By the time that was done, Nick was normally running into the playground, out of breath but wonderfully happy to see his boy. She loved seeing the way his face lit up, his blue eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled.

‘Mrs Cole, can I have a quick word?’

Mrs Cole’s mouth tightened, and Bella could see she was already entering defensive mode. ‘Of course. Is everything all right?’

Without naming him (because the rules didn’t allow it) Bella outlined what Freddie had said in the playground and Amias’s response to being asked about it, making it clear that neither boy was in trouble but that it was important for her to know the incident had occurred.

‘Well of course he didn’t do it on purpose. Why would he?’

‘I just wanted to let you know, that’s all. And I’ve advised both boys to make sure they look before they run about.’

‘Why should Amias have to pay more attention? He hasn’t done anything wrong. If he said it was an accident, it was.’

‘Freddie’s lying, Mum,’ Amias added.

‘Freddie? Well there you go. If it’s Freddie Cowley we’re talking about, he probably is lying. Acting out because his mother left, trying to get Amias in trouble just to get some attention.’ Mrs Cole’s voice was growing higher and tighter. How could the woman say something like that? It was cruel. ‘Maybe he’s jealous,’ she finished, flicking back her long dark hair.