‘Thank you, Bill. And don’t let Caterine wrap you around her little paw. Don’t be fooled by her good looks. She’s a monster.’

She ends the call and checks the time. It seems like only minutes since she arrived at the hospital. She hopes Nevis is fast asleep in her flat. Back in the day, driving from rave to rave, Honor would often be up thirty-six hours straight and hardly feel it. Those days are long gone. If she can remember where she parked Gerry, she’ll take a nap in the back later, but first it’s time to make a call. She taps in the number and a female voice answers: ‘University of Avon, how can I help you?’

‘Can you put me through to the head of student welfare?’ The call goes to tinny muzak. She wonders whether the whole truth, even the parts Nevis doesn’t know, is what is needed here. Or perhaps she should simply say that her daughter will need extra support and may not know how to ask for it? After a few minutes a velvety voice introduces herself as the departmental secretary but does not give her name.

Honor explains who she is and asks to speak with the head.

‘What’s it regarding?’

‘I’m worried about my daughter, Nevis Smith.’

‘Worried how?’

Honor explains.

‘One moment.’ The line returns to muzak then back to the departmental secretary.

‘I’m very sorry, Dr Keane isn’t available right now. I can leave a message for her.’

‘Then I’d like to make an appointment to come in.’

‘One moment,’ the voice says, ‘I’m looking at your daughter’s records but I don’t see any statement of special needs.’

‘Well no, but…’

‘Your daughter is legally an adult, Ms Smith, so Dr Keane would need Nevis’s authority to talk you. I’m not sure what else you’d like me to do.’

There is whispering in the background.

‘I just want to know she’s being looked out for.’

More muzak. A long pause this time before the voice comes back on.

‘Dr Keane says she won’t be able to discuss Ms Mann’s accident or your daughter specifically without her permission, but she’s happy to have a general chat.’ The secretary’s voice is strained as though she is delivering lines, pausing momentarily just before the word ‘accident’ as though having to remind herself exactly what to say. They agree on a time. After the call ends Honor decides it’s a good thing she didn’t get to speak to Dr Keane after all. This way she’ll be able to catch some shut-eye before going in and have time to prepare properly for the encounter.