Mia’s words only served to prove that every one of the guests here tonight knew her husband was up to something behind her back. She supressed the scream rising inside her.

Their laughter was grating. The clinking of their glasses sent shivers down her spine. Precariously balanced plates were tipping crumbs onto her floor.

Her daughters weren’t upstairs in their own beds because of this crowd of unwanted guests, and all she wanted to do was scream, ‘Get out of my house!’

She wanted her husband still to be here, to deal with them.

At the same time she wanted him never to walk back in their front door ever again.

She wanted, above all, for him not to have brought Miles Morgan back into their lives.

Friday 17 May

Interview between DC Emily Marlow and Janie Wood, following the fire on Monday 13 May

Marlow:Janie, did you intend to kill your husband on Monday evening?

Janie:No. Of course I didn’t.

Marlow:Did you set fire to the offices of Morris & Wood?

Janie:No.

Marlow:Did you know your husband was in the building when you went there?

Janie:Please. I didn’t do it.

Marlow:But you and Harry hadn’t been getting on well, had you? And you were seen at the quay at the time of the fire …

Janie:I didn’t … I haven’t done anything wrong. I’m begging you – I just want to go and see my girls. They’re on their own. They’re frightened. This is ridiculous. You must know that. It wasn’t me.

Marlow:Did you know Miles Morgan was also in the office at the time of the fire?

Janie:No. I didn’t know anyone was in there. I didn’t even—

Marlow:So you’re telling me you weren’t aware that either Miles or your husband were in the office? Where was Harry supposed to be on Monday evening?

Janie:I have no idea. I don’t know. We weren’t … we weren’t talking.

Marlow:Because of his alleged affair with Laura Denning?

Janie:No! I don’t know if he was having an affair with her or not. You know why we weren’t talking. We’ve been over this already. I was annoyed with him, after the party. You can ask him about that. Things weren’t that bad between us. Ask him yourself. He may be in hospital, but he’s talking now.

Marlow:We know he’s talking now, Janie. And you can rest assured we will be speaking to your husband.

Janie:Good. Good, because he knew everything was all right between us. Harry knows I would never have done what you’re saying I’ve done. Please. Please – I just want to make sure my girls are okay.

Marlow:Janie, I need to remind you that this is now a murder investigation …

Janie:I know that. God help me, I know that.