‘Oh God. Oh no.’ Connor digs his fingertips into his scalp.

‘Shh. Sit. It’s okay. Tyler’s fine, I promise.’

‘Did she… who…’

‘He ran away,’ PC Amin says.

‘No way.’ Connor shook his head. ‘He would have told me or Ryan. He—’

‘He lost his phone. He couldn’t have contacted you, he didn’t know your numbers without his mobile. He’s been sleeping rough for the past few days. He turned up at a police station in Brighton, hungry and cold and told them what had happened.’

‘What do you mean? What did he say?’

The officers exchange a glance. PC Leighton gives an almost indiscernible nod.

‘His mum’s boyfriend, Liam, had been selling knock-off gear. Tyler had been taking his money and when Liam caught him stealing, he hit him, not just once this time. Gave him a black eye. Bruised ribs. A split lip. Tyler had reached breaking point. It was a spur of the moment decision to run away. He thought he’d be able to find a hostel. Pick up work. He looks far older than seventeen but it hasn’t gone as he’d hoped.’

‘Where is he now?’

‘We’ve sent an officer to speak to his mum. It’s up to her. We’ll charge Liam but we can’t detain him until the court case. If he stays, Tyler can’t return there. There are other options though. Social Services have a duty of care—’

‘He can stay with me.’ Connor doesn’t hesitate. They have an empty fourth bedroom and he knows that despite Kieron being so sick and his mum having a lot to deal with, she would welcome Tyler in. She always wants to save everyone.

‘What… what about Ryan? He’d never have run away. He gets on well with his mum.’

‘We’re still making inquiries.’

‘But you don’t know where he is?’

‘Not yet but we’re hopeful he’ll be found soon. Try not to worry.’

Connor opens his mouth to say of course he’s worried – The Taken – but he closes it again. Tyler hadn’t been taken. Perhaps something else had happened to Ryan, but what?

There’s the ring of the bell, a key in the lock.

‘That’ll be Aileen, Hailey’s carer,’ Mr Marshall says. ‘Do you want to go and say goodbye, Connor?’

Connor slips into the dining room, avoiding Aileen’s eyes as they pass. What must she think of him?

Hailey’s eyes are closed. There’s a split second when Connor fears the worst and it is like losing her all over again, but then he sees the rising of her chest as she inhales.