‘I assumed she was,’ Laura replied. ‘Because she was coming for a temporary role here. I thought she’d said as much in her interview too,’ she went on, though now she couldn’t actually recall whether Mia had or not. Whether she’d been led to think that; and even if she had, did it make any difference?

‘No. Mia was permanent. Can I ask why you’re calling me? What is it you actually want to know?’

‘I just—’ Laura broke off. ‘I suppose I was wondering if there was anything more you could tell me about her.’

‘Has something happened?’ Katie asked.

‘No. Not specifically.’

‘Then I’m sorry, this isn’t protocol. I don’t know what you’re fishing for, but I gave Mia’s reference.’

‘I know, I know that,’ Laura said, desperate for Katie not to cut her off. ‘And I also know I shouldn’t be calling you, but I wanted to do this off the record. I wouldn’t be phoning if I didn’t think there was an issue. And I’m sorry I can’t tell you more, but please, can you tell me if there’s anything at all I should be worried about.’

There was a beat before Katie answered. ‘Her leaving,’ she said.

‘What?’ It was the last thing Laura expected to hear.

‘Her leaving you high and dry, like she did us. Mia had just received a promotion. A good one, by all accounts, that I’d let six other applicants down on. And then one day she called in sick and never came back.’

As Laura listened, she could tell how much Katie was still annoyed by this.

‘She didn’t end up working her four weeks’ notice because of it, and I wondered at the time if it was because she’d found another job. But then when I didn’t get asked for a reference – or at least not until two months later – I didn’t think she had.’

Laura shook her head, trying to think back. Katie was right; they hadn’t asked for a reference for ages because she’d suddenly gone on maternity leave, and Rebecca from HR had left and everything was so up in the air. It was a good two months before anyone had got round to sorting it.

‘I was worried about her.’ Katie let out a small laugh. ‘But then when I knew she’d got another job, I guess I thought no more of it. I just … I don’t know what I thought, really. I was too caught up in recruiting our role again, I suppose.’

‘It doesn’t make sense,’ Laura said. ‘Why would she give up a good promotion, a permanent role, for a temporary job?’

Katie didn’t respond.