She looks towards the door, as though afraid the police will arrive at any second. ‘I suppose I could say my head hurts.’ She puts a hand to her bandage. ‘It does a bit anyway. It could be all the stress.’

Guilt rushes in, like the tide. ‘Oh, Heather, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t be asking you this …’

‘No. It’s okay. I know you’re only trying to help me.’ She sits up straighter in bed, looking determined. ‘Let’s do it.’ She laughs and I join in, and right away we’re fourteen again, giggling conspiratorially because we’re planning to do something we shouldn’t. ‘But don’t tell Mum,’ she adds. ‘She’ll only try to talk me out of it.’

I feel uneasy at leaving Margot out of the loop, but I’m so desperate for this story that I’m sure, in this moment, I’d agree to anything.

A nurse comes in and shoos me out, saying visiting hours are over and Heather needs her rest. Heather does look tired, the colour of her face not far off that of the white pillow she’s lying on. I promise to be back to see her soon.

I almost skip down the corridor and out to my car. I can hardly believe my luck. While I’m driving home I call Ted on hands-free.

‘Guess what,’ I cry, when he answers. ‘I’ve only gone and bloody done it. Heather’s agreed to an exclusive.’

There’s a pause and then: ‘Right, but we’ll only be able to use it if she’s not charged.’

I’d hardly expected him to whoop down the phone. After all, this is the ever-cynical Ted. But I was hoping for a bit more enthusiasm. ‘I’m praying she can put the police off, just until it’s printed on Friday. And we can put it on our website before that, of course.’ Not that anyone will read it, I silently add.

He doesn’t say anything for a few seconds and then: ‘Okay. Let’s hope. But good work, Jess. I knew you could do it.’

I put the phone down and do a little air punch. At last, a sliver of praise from Ted.

I’m beaming as I pull into the underground car park. And then my euphoria dies, replaced by guilt.

It’s been worth visiting Heather, both on a personal and professional level. I just hope she manages not to speak to the police tomorrow. I long to talk to Jack and dissect my conversation with Heather in detail. But he’s been acting oddly lately and I don’t feel as close to him since all this has happened.