‘But…’ The girl’s eyes flick to Cullen’s face and flare, though whether she’s beseeching or trying to warn him he neither knows nor cares. If she has any sense, she’ll go quietly. If she doesn’t, then Cullen will have to use other methods of persuasion. The only reason she’s hung on this long is because Mark Ratner has an appetite for blow jobs from pretty girls.

To his surprise, Natasha’s eyes flare again and she sits bolt upright, her hands slamming on the table. ‘Why are we even doing this? Your students are throwing themselves off bridges and you’re sitting here harassing me. I know exactly why Jessica Easton killed herself,’ Natasha says with a steeliness that sends a spear into Cullen’s heart. She narrows her eyes and for a minute Cullen feels his mouth go dry. He stares at her with an intensity designed to scare. She does not give way immediately. For a few moments they are locked in a battle of wills, then, thinking better of crossing him, she blows air out of her cheeks and folds her arms over her chest.

‘It’s that kind of language…’ Cullen says.

‘Very unhelpful,’ Keane agrees, crossing her legs over one another.

‘It’s our responsibility to set up each student to succeed,’ Cullen goes on, trotting out his pre-prepared speech. Natasha has just unwittingly made all this so much easier. ‘We were undecided as to what to do but I’m now of the strong view that you’d be better transferring to another, less demanding, university. I would be happy to recommend a few places and see to it that you got a good reference.’

Natasha stares at Cullen. He meets her eye impassively. Suddenly she looks away, biting her lip, but says nothing. The penny has dropped. He, Cullen, is cutting the girl a deal. She has understood that the price is her silence.

‘We’ll give you a week or so to think about it,’ Cullen says.

Keane pulls out a printed form, ticks a few boxes and makes a few notes, and it’s over. Cullen watches her tidy her papers and put them in her bag, and then she stands to leave, brushing down her floral dress with her pudgy, sweaty paws.

Cullen turns his head to Natasha and raises a finger. ‘Why don’t you stay behind for a few minutes and we can have a think about a more suitable place for you?’ The Tillotson girl says nothing but makes no attempt to get up. Turning back to Keane. ‘Lea, I’ll see you tomorrow.’

‘Absolutely.’ Holding out a hand to Natasha, Keane says, ‘Well, goodbye, Natasha. I wish you well in your new academic home.’ Natasha blinks and without taking the hand looks away.

‘Take out your phone,’ Cullen says, once Lea Keane has left the room.