He felt stupid for coming here, bad for involving her in this, but he knew he couldn’t just go to someone random; he couldn’t trust them to be discreet. The one thing he knew about Dr Hadley above everything else was that she respected a patient’s privacy and would never violate that. He also trusted that she would be sympathetic; he had seen her with other victims in the past. He needed to speak to someone who understood this sort of thing, someone who would react appropriately. He wasn’t sure how he would take any kind of judgement at this point; he needed kindness and empathy.

‘I’ll see if I can get hold of her for you. Take a seat,’ the receptionist said.

Adrian stood by the counter and waited for the doors to the ward to open. He looked at the seats, but he wasn’t there yet – standing was easier. He crossed his arms, even though it hurt his ribs. Since the attack he found himself looking at people with suspicion. The fact that he knew so little about his attacker made everyone a suspect. He listened out for that voice, looked for the face he had not seen, knowing he wouldn’t know the man if he met him.

He clenched his jaw and fists to stop himself from crying again. His tears seemed to come in waves when he least expected them and his control over it was tenuous. He concentrated on his breathing, trying not to breath too deeply as it aggravated his damaged rib.

‘DS Miles. Has there been a development in the case? I heard you found that young lady, is she doing OK?’ Dr Hadley asked as she appeared at the double doors.

‘We are still investigating. I was wondering if I could speak to you in private,’ Adrian said.

He had gone over this in his mind. He had to get some kind of treatment; he was in too much pain to go back to work as he was.

‘Is this about the case? I can’t break doctor–patient confidentiality, if that’s what you want. I already told DS Grey everything I could and even that felt unethical.’

‘No, a personal matter, actually.’ He didn’t know how to describe what it was.

‘Oh, OK.’ She seemed surprised. ‘Come with me.’

She led him through the ward out into a small corridor. There was a door with her name on it and they went inside – it was a small office with no window. She had some toys in the corner of the room and a trolley pushed against the back wall. There was a bookcase stacked with medical magazines and serious-looking books. Her walls were a bright, cheery sky blue, covered in framed certificates and accolades.

‘What can I help you with, DS Miles?’

‘Adrian, please.’