During history class, Pip barely listens to Elliot Ward because she is debating whether to question him about Andie Bell’s reported insults. When the lunch bell rings, Connor leaves, and Pip stays behind to speak with Elliot privately.

Pip asks Elliot why Andie called him offensive names shortly before Andie disappeared, despite Elliot previously saying he had little to do with Andie at school. Elliot admits he had hoped the issue would not come up, then explains that he knew of Andie through Naomi and had learned Andie was bullying another girl in their year.

Elliot says the bullying involved an online video and could have led to serious consequences from both the school and the police. Because Andie’s A-levels and future were at stake, Elliot chose not to report Andie to the school immediately. Instead, on the Monday after Easter—the week Andie vanished—Elliot called Jason Bell, told him what had happened, and warned that Jason needed to deal with Andie or Elliot would have to inform the school.

Elliot believes Jason likely told Andie that Elliot was the source of the information, explaining why Andie insulted him that week. Pip feels relieved because Elliot’s explanation gives him a plausible reason for Andie’s hostility without making him look guilty of something worse.

Elliot says he never told anyone about the bullying after Andie died because it seemed insensitive and pointless. He cannot remember the bullied girl’s name, only that it sounded Portuguese, but says Naomi would know. Pip leaves the conversation with Elliot seeming less suspicious and with a new lead that points back to Naomi.