Patrick:Only Harry could manage it; he gets away with stuff the rest of us can’t. All the women think he’s a god, and not just because he’s CEO. Like I say, he’s a mate and all, but Harry (shakes head), he’s on a totally other level. No, he and Laura were as close as ever.

Marlow:How well do you know Harry’s wife, Janie Wood?

Patrick:I know her well enough. She comes into the office now and then. Not much, I suppose, any more, but of course she throws the party every year.

Marlow:Party?

Patrick:Yeah, Harry’s party happens every May in their back garden; they open up their house to all his employees. Every one of them is invited, even the ones right at the bottom.

Marlow:What do you mean by the bottom, Patrick?

Patrick:The lowest pay grade.

Marlow:How kind of him.

Patrick:I don’t mean it like that – I’m just saying. He doesn’t have to do it, does he? You don’t see many bosses opening up their home to everyone. Anyway, Janie’s always there. I’m sure she’s the one behind it, because I can’t imagine Harry getting involved in all that stuff. (laughs) Women like planning parties, don’t they? My wife would have a field day if I gave her that kind of money to blow on one.

Marlow:When was the last time the Woods held one of these parties?

Patrick:(pauses) You haven’t heard anything about it yet? I’m surprised. It was Friday night. Four days ago.

Marlow:Is there something I should have heard?

Patrick:Yes, you could say that. You mix highly charged emotions with alcohol and you’re always going to get an explosion.

Marlow:There was a fight?

Patrick:(nods) There was.

Marlow:Who was involved?

Patrick:Mia, Laura, Harry, Janie … The party was a disaster really.

Chapter Four

Two months before the fire

Janie Wood’s washing machine beeped at the same time that the phone rang and the cat leapt through the cat flap with another mouse still twitching in his mouth. ‘Urgh!’ she yelled. ‘You bloody cat! Take that thing out of the house.’

The cat looked up at her with soulful eyes as it dropped the mouse on the floor and patted it towards her with its paw. The mouse didn’t move a limb except for its eyes, which found Janie’s and pleaded with her either to put it out of its misery or to save it.

Janie stared back at the cat. ‘Shoo – go on, get out of here.’ She waved her hands until he eventually retreated and then, with one last scowl at her, turned and disappeared.