A nauseating panic rose inside her and Claire pushed it down knowing that she would need every brain cell focused on the task at hand. Eventually Julia came on the line.

‘I need the file, Julia,’ said Claire.

‘Claire,’ replied Julia gently. ‘I just told you that the board agreed for you to be off work.’

‘Julia, I—’

‘Claire – I know it’s frustrating, but it’s my top priority to find out what’s happened here. Chloe and Greg are due in my office in ten minutes and we’ll work out what’s going on,’ assured Julia.

I thought you were doing that two hours ago!

‘And what about Rose? Is she coming in today?’ demanded Claire.

‘Well, no,’ said Julia, ‘she’s not due in until next week.’

‘Julia – I’m telling you, the only way to find out what’s happened is to ask Rose directly. She’s a liar!’ Claire was struggling to control her temper.

‘Claire, I can’t just accuse one of our clients of lying. You also have to remember she’s a victim. Besides, she’s already asked about the possibility of moving to a different law firm…’

Claire listened in disbelief. ‘So that’s what this is all about? Money? You’re worried that we’re going to lose her as a client?’ Claire was shouting down the phone now.

‘Claire, I know this is difficult, but you have to calm down—’ stated Julia.

‘Calm down?! This is my son we’re talking about and all you’re thinking about is money!’

‘That’s not true – all I’m saying is, we have to be careful about how we approach this.’

But Claire wasn’t listening. ‘Why is Rose suddenly mentioning Joshua now? She just suddenly remembered?’ Claire was pacing around her living room, the adrenalin pumping.

‘I don’t know,’ replied Julia, calmly. ‘She says it was the photo and that’s what we need to understand. And until we can find out, I’ve agreed with the other partners that—’

But Claire didn’t want to hear it again. They were asking the impossible – for her to watch her son be accused of something he didn’t even do. She hung up, trying not to give in to the sobs that threatened to overwhelm her, and hurried through to Joshua’s room frantically searching for something, anything to prove his innocence.

*

When Chris finally arrived at dusk, she was sat stewing on the sofa, angry with him for being so late and not picking up his phone. Why hadn’t he come home immediately? Where had he been? What was more important than this? She was worried sick about Joshua and her nervous energy needed to be unleashed at someone. Which is why she attacked Chris as soon he came in.