‘It’s true, no word of a lie, and hopefully I’m going to spend the rest of the day with her.’

‘Who’s to say she will be there when you get back? She might have come to her senses and made an escape.’

‘No, I think she might be falling for me, just like you have, Wayne. You should have made a move on me earlier; I’m increasingly looking like an unavailable. Has your dad heard anything from the police yet, by the way?’

‘No, but he will, don’t you panic.’

‘You know what, I’m beginning to believe you.’

I didn’t tell Wayne about the contents of the dongle. It didn’t feel like the right time. I didn’t want to get his hopes up when the whole thing was so up in the air and uncertain. I ordered two coffees, two almond croissants and a couple of skinny blueberry muffins. While Wayne prepared my order I was surprised to be joined at the counter by Mr Clown Shoes. He was wearing his usual clothes and carrying a plastic carrier bag bulging with A4 documents and letters. I looked away as soon as I caught his eye, but I was too late. He poked me on my shoulder.

‘Hey, I know you,’ he growled. ‘You were the bloke hanging around in the police station and at the court. What’s your business with me? Are you working for my neighbour? Are you his spy or something?’

Wayne had taken note of Mr Clown Shoes’ attitude and told him to calm it down and keep things civil. Mr Clown Shoes gave Wayne a defiant glance but realized that Wayne was not someone to be disobeyed. He lowered his tone.

‘So, why did you happen to be at those two places at exactly the same time as me? Are you going to suggest that it was just pure coincidence? Because I very much doubt that.’

‘It is just a coincidence, but not that big a one, because I work for a firm of solicitors and I’m often at the court and at the police station.’

‘Liar. You told me you were a carpet salesman, and by the look of you I would say that’s just about right.’

Wayne interrupted on my behalf:

‘Listen, mate, the guy is a lawyer. He represents me as it happens. So let it go, will you, or get out of the shop.’

Mr Clown Shoes looked me in the eye as he stroked his chin and made a humming sound from his throat:

‘Would you like to represent me? You’ve probably heard the outline of my complaint from your eavesdropping. It’s a big case – could be worth thousands in damages.’

I didn’t want Mr Clown Shoes to like me, so the devil took a tug on my shoulder.