‘Boundaries don’t exist simply for criminals, they exist for victims, too: they help victims know that what’s happening is unacceptable. We want all pupils to be aware that social media is off limits. When I talk to people about this, most of them can’t believe the law hasn’t already taken a firmer stance.’

‘Rob Dowling,’ Claire says, ‘is Caroline Lovell right? Does the British Teaching Association agree that we need more regulation?’

Rob is already nodding. ‘The issues Caroline’s raising are very important, and of course we must do everything we can to ensure that teachers do know the boundaries, that they respect the boundaries, especially on social media—’

‘You should be doing that already,’ Caroline says.

‘Well, if you just listen—’

‘—I am listening—’

‘—you’ll know that is what we’re doing, and we won’t stop looking for ways to improve teacher training, but the fact is—’

‘The fact is not enough care is taken to make sure girls like Beverley aren’t exploited—’

‘Let me assure you,’ Rob says, flushing, ‘a great deal of care is taken. The vast majority of teachers are decent people, responsible, caring people, who absolutely know the difference between right and wrong, and are doing their best to deal with, not just the dangers, but also the opportunities new technology has created. Educators cannot be held solely responsible for these kinds—’

‘Who else do we blame? The pupils?’

‘Absolutely not, but there are other factors in play.’

‘Such as what?’ asks Claire.

‘We all know,’ Rob says, turning gratefully towards her, ‘that teachers are chronically overworked and underpaid. What we need are more realistic workloads that would ensure all pupils receive the right kind of attention. The answer isn’t to force more regulation on teachers, to give them yet another thing to feel anxious about, but instead to trust teachers to—’

‘Trust them?’ Caroline says. ‘I’m sorry, but Neal Richards was trusted, and look what he did with that. Trust is the problem here. You have to recognise the special position you occupy, and accept that there simply has to be a greater burden of accountability because of—’

‘—but that doesn’t benefit the pupils—’

‘It would have benefited Beverley Parker. It would have benefited Beverley’s parents, who are grieving the loss of their daughter, and are actually now pressing for manslaughter charges against Neal Richards, that’s how completely they feel he betrayed the trust placed in him.’

This is what pundits require, Claire thinks: absolute belief in whatever they are saying, even from a standing start. The marvellous capacity to self-convince. No one masters such a role cynically, despite what people think. Cynicism can be pried up around the edges. Only the faithful endure.

‘And what about parents?’ she asks. ‘Since you’ve raised them. Where do they come in?’