‘That’s simple. I didn’t have one. Not anymore. Not after the accident. People knew the truth about that no matter what Mum did. They didn’t trust me.’

No matter what Mum did. For a moment, I had nothing but my despair. Caleb clearly knew how I’d made sure his urine test was lost. It wasn’t just guilt he felt about the car accident, but anger at me. I thought again about the devastated landscape. Had Caleb stood there and decided to…

No. Waves of frustration and fear buffeted me. Last time I felt like this was back at Jack’s house, watching fire approach. Outside, I rounded on Douglas. ‘We have to make him defend himself.’

‘It’s not that simple. If Caleb eventually decides to plead guilty, it will count against him at sentencing if we fight now. The court will say he showed a lack of remorse.’

‘He won’t ever plead guilty. He can’t feel remorse. He didn’t do this.’

Douglas checked his watch, like he had another client he needed to see. And perhaps he did. ‘The newspaper articles, the press conferences, the police statements,’ I said. ‘Can’t you make them stop?’

‘I’ve seen cases like this before, Phoebe. Once Caleb spoke to the press himself, he opened the floodgates.’

‘They’re openly accusing Caleb. Surely it’s slander? Libel?’

‘I’ve already made all the claims I can, Phoebe. You’ll notice the police are being quieter. That more news stories say allegedly. We’ll raise the issue if we need to. On appeal.’

‘On appeal?’ I froze. ‘You mean if he’s found guilty?’

‘Isn’t that what you mean?’

‘It can’t get to that stage.’

There’d been other torments. Back in Hawthorn, Caleb had been accused of a minor drug deal. I’d been called in the middle of the night. He was at the police station. He’d gone there himself, seeking safety. A bunch of his mates were involved. It had started small and grown out of control, and Caleb wanted out. We left Hawthorn, to get him away from the wrong friends. At least there had been friends. Here, apart from loose friendships like Ethan, he had only Penelope, even though his connection to the town ran so much deeper than mine. Other people Caleb met were the children of Stephen’s friends.

That evening, I emailed Penelope as Caleb had requested and asked, one more time, for her help. Perhaps she knew a way to make him speak.

Finally, she replied. She said to tell Caleb she was all right and she’d write him a letter soon, and added, Ms Wharton, I know you’re invested in the case. I agree with you. Caleb needs to defend himself. You might not know everything he’s been doing so I thought you might like to see these…