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I ignore the dig and say, ‘We’re here to discuss my caseload. Not whether I should drink wine.’

‘Oh, have a sense of humour.’ Tessa gulps from her glass. ‘All right. So tell me – how are you finding things? Not quite what you expected?’

‘More overwhelming than I expected.’

‘Ha! Yes, I imagine even a first degree couldn’t prepare you for life in child protection.’

‘I’m still grateful to be here. In a job that makes a difference.’

Tessa clearly doesn’t expect this response and shoves two dough balls into her mouth in contemplation. ‘But you just said you were feeling overwhelmed.’ She chews the words around a mouthful of dough.

‘Yes. I am. I have too much work for one person.’

‘That’s the spirit! Have a good moan. Now then.Pleasetell me you’re finally closing down the Kinnock file. Did you find out anything at school? Reasonable cause to believe he’s being picked on?’

‘Tom’s school teacher couldn’t give any clarity on the marks,’ I say. ‘“There’s no bullying at our school.” A bitStepford Wives. I’ve got an appointment to see the headmaster. Hopefully he can give me a few more answers.’

‘That’s what they’re like, those academies,’ says Tessa. ‘They have to brush trouble under the carpet or their funding gets cut. From what I hear, Steelfield School has gone from crap to brilliant within the space of a few years. They’ll be desperate to keep their outstanding status. Can’t have any nasty rumours rocking the boat.’

‘Maybe the headmaster is just very ambitious and good at his job.’

Tessa snorts. ‘The best headmaster in the world couldn’t fix the Neilson boys. So anyway, what you’re telling me is you haven’t closed this file down yet?’

‘The mother is convinced something is happening at school. Tom had strange marks on his arm. I have to keep him on my caseload. Lizzie is clearly a good mother. When we have people like the Neilsons on our books it seems ridiculous to waste our time on this family. But if something is happening at school …’

‘Tom Kinnock was lucky to get a place at Steelfield,’ says Tessa. ‘A boy who moved from London … I don’t know what strings they pulled to get him in, but for the mother to be complaining … it sticks in the craw a bit, doesn’t it?’

‘We can’t rule out harm at school just yet,’ I say. ‘I mean, for a start the Neilson boys go there. One of them could be … I don’t know. But you know the history with those boys. Anything is possible.’

Tessa takes a glug of red wine. ‘From what I remember, those boys only ever hurt each other. What about Tom’s family members? Any other adults he sees regularly?’

‘Grandparents. But not regularly, from what I can gather.’ ‘Wait this one out, Kate,’ says Tessa, pouring more wine into her glass. ‘Put it down until more evidence comes to the surface. You’re in no-man’s land.’

‘Wait until Tom gets seriously injured, you mean? I’m here to protect children, Tessa. To keep them out of harm’s way.’

Tessa snorts. ‘Okay then. I’ll send you to the Bermuda Triangle, shall I? If we’re in the business of solving mysteries.’

‘If anything else happens to Tom, we’re going to have to get the courts involved.’

‘Now steady on—’

‘Tessa, something is going on with that little boy. I need to visit Tom again, and then make a decision.’

‘Look, before you jump to any conclusions, make doubly sure the father isn’t still on the scene.’

‘I intend to ask about that again when I visit.’

‘When?’

‘This afternoon. After school pick-up.’

‘Ah. Stress-o’clock. Are you hoping to catch the mother screaming at him? Messy house? Rats in the kitchen?’

‘If I want rats, I’ll go to Leanne Neilson’s house.’

‘Ha ha!’ Tessa slaps my back. ‘To see that little rat Lloyd Neilson, you mean?’

‘No,’ I say, rather shocked by this insinuation. ‘They have actual rats. Well, mice. The health inspector made a report on it.’