Sarah stood outside the large redbrick building and held onto the black railings as she tried to muster up the courage to walk through the main door. Two bobbies came out and walked past her. They were young, too young to be her dad. She had no idea what her father looked like, but she hoped that as soon as she saw him, she’d somehow recognise him.

She drew in a long breath before apprehensively climbing the few steps that led to the entrance, then slowly pushed open the door. As she stepped inside, she looked around. The stark walls were painted pale green, and there were several doors leading from the reception area.

‘Can I help you, miss?’ she heard a policeman ask from behind a long wooden counter.

She looked at the man, but felt nothing, and wondered if he could be her father. She approached the desk, all the time studying the policeman’s face, trying to see something that reminded her of herself.

‘I … I … I’m looking for Ron Lyons …’ she managed to say nervously. She could feel her heart beating fast, and her hands were clammy. She tapped her left finger and thumb together.

‘And who shall I tell him wants to see him?’ the policeman asked.

Sarah had to think quickly. She couldn’t say her own name. ‘Sarah Neerly,’ she lied, thinking George wouldn’t mind her using his.

‘And can I ask what it’s about?’

‘I … er …’ Her mind went blank.

‘Just a minute, I’ll find him for you,’ the policeman said impatiently, then exited through a door behind the counter.

Sarah sighed with relief. She saw a long wooden bench and walked across to sit down. Her legs felt strangely shaky and her head was swimming. She’d been full of bravado at George’s stall, but now she wasn’t feeling quite so brave and regretted declining George’s offer to accompany her.

Sarah jigged her leg and began to bite her nails. This wasn’t going to be as easy as she’d originally thought, and now she wondered what she was going to say. It felt as if she’d been sitting waiting for hours, but really it was only a few minutes before she heard the door open and the policeman walked back through, closely followed by another uniformed man.

That’s him, she thought to herself. That’s my dad! He was a large man, with brown hair thinning on top, and his complexion was rugged, but when she saw his eyes they were deep green, and it was like a reflection of her own.

‘I understand you’re looking for me. I’m Sergeant Lyons,’ he said in a deep voice.