‘I cleaned the whole place on Saturday afternoon. Well, down here at least. I’ve still got to do upstairs.’

Trish turned to look at him. ‘Good. Well done. I’m glad you’re getting things sorted a bit more.’

‘Why so late home?’ asked Len, clearing the kitchen table that was covered with unopened post, the village newsletter and all sorts of detritus.

‘You know Freddie bumped his head at playtime? Well Miss Radcliffe just wanted to let me know what had happened.’

Trish turned, her face full of motherly concern. ‘Is he okay? Did they give him first aid?’

‘They took care of him. She put a wet paper towel on his head as he had a slight bump. I felt for it on the way home but couldn’t find anything, so I think it’s gone down now. Bella was there too.’

‘Ah,’ said Len. ‘Sexy Miss Moore.’

Trish found a tea towel and hit him with it.

Nick knew Len was only joking, but the costume she’d worn at Halloween had certainly shown a different side to everyone’s favourite primary school teacher. Nick had never really noticed her in that way before because he’d been happily married for so long. Or at least, he thought he’d been happily married. Even unhappily married, he hadn’t noticed Bella’s curvaceous frame or pretty face because he’d always been in love with his wife.

‘And wet paper towels!’ continued Len opening a bottle of wine and pouring three glasses. ‘Where would the world be without wet paper towels. “Got a broken leg, Jimmy? Let’s shove a wet paper towel on it. Your arm’s hanging off, Maddie? Never fear, a wet paper towel will have that sorted out in no time. Eyes fallen out of their sockets—”’

‘We get the idea,’ said Trish, sipping her wine after dishing out salad onto each plate. ‘I love Bella. She’s brilliant. And she doesn’t put up with nonsense. She’s kind, but firm and fair. I like that in a teacher.’

‘Freddie’s being weird though,’ said Nick quietly, making sure he kept his voice low. The volume in the living room had grown higher as the two boys played a game together. Among the inane chatter they heard giggles and groans in equal measure. ‘He was really quiet on the way home and then when we got here, he said Amias keeps being mean to him. Miss Radcliffe said Bella had spoken to him and he swore it was an accident, but Freddie doesn’t think it was. I just don’t know how much of it is perception and how much is fact. It’s hard to tell sometimes.’

‘Amias Cole?’ asked Trish, glancing at Len.

‘Yeah.’ Trish’s eyes went to Len’s again and Nick felt his shoulders tense. ‘What?’

Len cleared his throat. ‘If he’s anything like his dad—’

‘Or mum.’