She lets out a long sigh. ‘Is it? Our chancellor’s thankfully made of stronger stuff.’ Her eyes look haunted for a moment and Matthew remembers her in her smart, black suit alongside the marine as he barked instructions at them.
‘As I say, I asked a lot of you. And if I remember, they shepherded the chancellor out of a side door pretty quickly.’
Amanda glances around her again. ‘Actually, there is something I should probably mention to you.’
Matthew’s more curious now.
‘Oh – nothing significant. Just something on my mind. It’s just my sister Helen knows the family. Gemma’s mother – they live in the same area. Helen asked me to fix good seats for them in the cathedral. We’re really not supposed to do that; the demand for seats is a hot potato every year. Anyway, my sister went on and on about it so in the end I did. Wangled for the Hartleys to be right up the front. It’s why they saw it all so clearly. I feel bad about that now.’
‘Right. So you know the family?’
‘No. Not me, not personally. But my sister’s fond of the mother. Helen asked me to give some tips about the uni when Gemma first applied. And this last year she asked if I could help Gemma with work experience. I’m afraid I fobbed her off. We’re always so busy. I feel terrible about that now.’ She looks crestfallen.
‘Well, you couldn’t know.’ He smiles. Everyone hated babysitting trainees when he was in the force. Then he remembers that Mel’s waiting.
‘Oh, and just one more thing. More personal. I read in the paper that the university is offering counselling to students and staff.’ He’s keen to be diplomatic even if the chancellor wasn’t.
‘Yes – that’s right. We have a very good team.’
‘It’s just my daughter’s having nightmares. She was there that day – on the high street with my wife and heard too much. I was wondering if you could recommend someone. A counsellor from your team? I’d be happy to pay privately.’
‘What age is she?’
‘Four.’
‘Poor thing.’ Amanda’s eyes soften. ‘Well, our team specialises in student and adult counselling, but I know they have contacts who work with children. There were a few younger siblings at the cathedral. I can have a word with our head of student counselling if you like.’
‘Would you?’ Matthew hands over his personal card. ‘Email and mobile are on there. As I say I’m happy to pay privately but would love a recommendation. We need someone good.’
‘No problem. Happy to help. And about the seating. Do you want me to come clean with the chancellor? It’s just I’ll be in a bit of hot water but I’d rather tell her myself if it’s going to be an issue. I’ve been a bit worried your investigation might question why they were up the front. In the VIP section.’
Matthew realises it had never occurred to him to wonder. He looks down at the ground and then back at Amanda.
‘No. I don’t think it’s important. Mum’s the word.’
‘Thank you.’ She looks relieved.
‘And try not to worry. If the ceremony does go ahead, DI Sanders will keep everyone safe. She’s good. Very good.’
Amanda just nods and looks at her watch again. ‘Sorry. But I really ought to be going. The meeting.’
Twenty minutes later, as Matthew finally pulls up at the police station, Mel’s waiting on the steps, scrolling through her phone.
‘So what happened to you, Matt? On the phone to Sally?’
‘You should be a detective.’
Mel laughs.
‘Yeah. I spoke briefly to Sal but I also had a quick word with the PR Amanda. We were right. She’s trying to be diplomatic – typical PR – but she clearly doesn’t agree about the final ceremony going ahead. She’s more shaken than the chancellor realises.’
‘Interesting. And what about Sally? What does she think about my offer?’
‘We’re going to talk tonight. My guess is she’ll want me in a bulletproof vest minimum.’
‘Well, at least you’re skinny enough to carry it off.’ Mel’s smiling as she leads them through the front office, using her security card to take them into an inner corridor. ‘I look pregnant again in mine.’
Matthew’s turn to laugh. It was a standing joke when they last liaised over a case. Mel was in the final stages of her pregnancy and was so large that everyone, Matthew included, was sure she was having twins. She wasn’t. It’s funny to see her tiny again – her son at home. Separate and growing up fast.