Honor shakes her head. At that moment Nevis’s ringtone chirps and Alex bustles away with the plates.

‘Hello darling?’

‘Something awful happened.’ There is a quaver in Nevis’s voice, a stumble almost, but she is not crying. A moment passes before Honor can fully absorb the news. The name Jessica Easton is unfamiliar but distinctive enough for Honor to be sure that she would have remembered it if Nevis had ever mentioned the girl.

‘Her poor parents! Why don’t I come over? I can be with you in a jiffy.’

‘Thanks, but I’ve got uni stuff to do. Avon has issued a statement on social which is, like, Jessica Easton had mental health problems.’

‘Did you know her?’

‘Not really, she was a friend of Satnam’s or maybe not a friend but Satnam knew her better than me. She was really, really skinny so I guess it was obvious she had anorexia or something…’

‘I think you can be any size and have anorexia.’

‘Maybe, but that’s not the point. The high-ups are trying to make it look like Jessica and Satnam aren’t connected.’

‘And you think they are…?’

‘I’d say the probability is pretty high, yes.’

‘Darling, don’t you think this is all a bit much for you? Why don’t you let me come round? Or you can come here if you like.’

There’s a pause then Nevis’s voice, sounding more resolute. ‘It’s OK.’

Doing her best not to sound hurt by yet another rejection, and thinking about Lea Keane, Honor says, ‘Is there someone you can talk to at the university? Student welfare?’

‘The Dean maybe. I’ve got a meeting with him later.’

‘Are you sure you’re all right?’

‘Yes.’

With that Nevis rings off, leaving Honor poised as if on the brink of something and not knowing whether to step forward or hang back.

‘Something wrong?’ Alex says, returning five minutes later with more coffee.

‘No, no, I mean, yes, but…’ Everything Honor has seen of Alex so far suggests a sensitive, open-hearted type but they barely know one another. ‘Someone my daughter knew, another student, took her own life last night.’

‘That’s awful. I’m so sorry.’

‘Nevis is upset because the university seems to have issued a rather bald statement saying that the girl had a history of mental health problems.’

‘Neither kind nor adequate in the circumstances.’

‘No. I should think they’re running scared. Doing whatever they can to distance themselves.’

‘How is Nevis taking it?’

‘She says she’s OK but she sounded upset. I’ll give her a call later…’ She tails off and swallows hard. The skin on her face feels hot and itchy. ‘Alex, can I tell you something?’

‘Of course.’