My hand was on Giles’s gate when Kerry’s front door opened wide to reveal herself and Harry standing just inside the vestibule.

‘There she is!’ shouted Harry triumphantly.

Kerry placed a hand on his head. ‘Edie,’ she said, ‘have you got time to come in for a cup of tea?’

I stared at her for a moment. ‘I don’t think—’ I began, before she interrupted me.

‘I’ve spoken to Giles,’ she said gently. ‘I’d really like you to come in. It’s all fine, honestly.’

I looked at Harry and, feeling grateful for the rain yet again, I wiped a hand across my damp cheek. ‘I told Cameron that I wouldn’t—’

‘Oh, stuff Ron,’ she said. ‘Just come in and have a cup of tea. Or maybe something stronger? Up to you.’

‘We’ve got biscuits,’ said Harry.

I smiled at him. ‘That does sound nice,’ I said. ‘Thank you.’

Opening Kerry’s gate, I walked slowly up the path, as she and Harry stood back to let me inside.

‘Let me take your coat,’ she said, pushing the door closed behind me. ‘It’s soaked.’

‘I’ve been outside most of the day.’

‘Why didn’t you put your hood up?’ asked Harry.

I put a hand up to my dripping hair. He had a point. ‘I must have forgotten to put it up when I got off the bus.’

‘You look really sad,’ he said. ‘Have you broken something? Are you in trouble? Did you get told off?’

‘That’s enough questions, Harry,’ said Kerry gently.

‘Have you fallen over? Did you spill red paint on the carpet?’

Kerry’s eyes narrowed and she turned towards him. ‘Have you spilled red paint on the carpet?’

His mouth widened and turned down at the corners. ‘Yes,’ he said quietly, addressing his feet.

‘Where?’

‘In my room. But I cleaned it up.’

‘With what?’

‘Toilet paper and the cream you clean your face with. It made the paint go pink,’ he said, before adding in a murmur, ‘and big.’

Kerry’s eyes closed slowly.

‘I’ll let you clear up and come back another—’ I began.

She opened her eyes and placed a hand on my arm. ‘Hang on just a moment, Edie. How long has the paint been on the carpet, Harry?’ she asked.

‘I spilled the paint at quarter to…’ He paused to study a chunky blue plastic watch on his wrist and ran his finger thoughtfully around the dial. ‘…yesterday.’

Kerry heaved a sigh. ‘Right, go and get into your pyjamas.’