‘Neil wants to know if you’re the strange woman called Theresa who keeps buzzing him on Instatalk, and writing in a creepy way that sounds like some weirdo pretending to be young?’

‘I’m so sorry, Chloe. That was someone from your school trying to find you.’

‘Please don’t tell me it’s Mum?’

‘No. A teacher going by the name Mervin.’

‘Oh, that freak.’ Chloe laughed. ‘He’s a real perv, Grandma. And he smells.’

‘To be truthful, Chloe, I didn’t get close enough. But he was doing his best to help us.’

‘You were in London?’

‘Yes. But I’m back home now in Bellevue-sur-Mer.’

Theresa was not sure how to get the best out of this call. The most important thing was not to make a thing of it and scare Chloe away. She had to be sure that Chloe kept in contact. She didn’t want to spell out the panic which had taken up the best part of her last forty-eight hours.

‘I was wondering where you were, darling. Someone said that they thought you were in the South of France, somewhere near me.’

There was a silence. Chloe did not take the bait.

Theresa pressed on. ‘And, if you are, why don’t I treat both Neil and you to lunch?’

‘Is this a trap?’

‘No, darling. Of course, it isn’t. But, as you know, I love cooking. And it would be good to see you. And I can advise you about some interesting local places to visit.’

‘I’m not on holiday, Grandma.’ Chloe sounded determined. ‘This is my new life. Being with Neil.’

Theresa had to grab the conversation back from this dangerous topic, grab it back to the merely casual.

‘You could come to the restaurant, or to some neutral space, a café or somewhere, or perhaps to my flat, whichever you like. Are you in Nice?’

‘No,’ Chloe replied.

‘Somewhere nearby, though?’

‘I’m not really sure where we are, to be honest. Nor is Neil. But it’s very windy here. I can barely stand up.’

As Theresa had walked here, she had almost been blown over by the wind. She wondered how far these weather conditions might stretch. Could it be that the two kids were only a few miles up the road, or were they well along the coast in San Remo or Saint-Raphael?

‘You’re warm and have somewhere to sleep and eat, I hope?’

‘Really, Grandma, stop worrying. Neil’s dad is a very generous person and I’ve got a lovely bedroom, so it’s all fine. I think he’s one of the nicest men I’ve ever met. He’s such fun.’

‘Is that Neil or his dad?’

‘Oh, I meant his dad. But Neil is even better.’

So, she had got some information out of the child. Now to press on.