Mia wanted to shut her eyes and close herself off from the open mouths that were hanging wide around her. She didn’t want to look at the face of the woman who had thrown her to the wolves so publicly.

Outside the boardroom, Mia’s discomfort started to grow into anger.

What was it with some women that made them turn on each other so readily?

Didn’t they have enough to deal with, without stabbing each other in the back when they should be on the same side?

Laura might not be happy that Mia was working here, but she should take that up with Harry. And yet, all too often, women like Laura never did. Mia had seen it happen before. It was, after all, what had brought her to Morris & Wood in the first place. And she was not going to let it continue.

Tuesday 14 May

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

Marlow:I know this is a horrible time for you and I appreciate you helping us.

Janie:Thank you.

Marlow:I’m very sorry about your husband’s building. It must be upsetting to see what happened. On top of everything else, of course.

Janie:(pauses) It is.

Marlow:I hope not to take up much of your time …

Janie:I do need to get back to my girls.

Marlow:I understand.

Janie:They haven’t gone into school today, with everything, you know – with what has happened to their dad.

Marlow:Of course.

Janie:I don’t want to leave them for long.

Marlow:I’ll be as quick as I can. I just have a few questions. Janie, have there been any problems between you and your husband recently?

Janie:Problems?

Marlow:Yes.

Janie:You mean, in my marriage?

Marlow:I mean anything at all.

Janie:What are you suggesting? That I set fire to the building? I didn’t.

Marlow:I’m not saying that at all.

Janie:I would never … I would never do that.

Marlow:I’m not suggesting you did, Janie. Was it your idea to purchase the site for the Morris & Wood offices five years ago?

Janie:It was Harry’s.

Marlow:It caused quite a stir at the time. As I recall, a lot of people were opposed to the development.

Janie:People didn’t want something so big being built there. They thought it would affect the landscape, the view – you know, from the quay.

Marlow:Could you see it from their side?

Janie:Yes, I could.

Marlow:Did you ever want to rethink?

Janie:I take it, from your questioning, you were opposed to it?

Marlow:I didn’t have an opinion.

Janie:Right. (laughs) Every local had an opinion. I used to think many got involved just because they liked the drama. Because we came from London.

Marlow:But it upset a lot of people? Didn’t that ever make you want to pull out?