Now, PC Johnston clears his throat, causing Connor to free fall back into reality, grappling for the last question he was asked. ‘Umm, no. There’s nothing you should know about.’ Connor shifts under the weight of Mr Marshall’s stare on him. Waits for the blow of his words.

But they don’t come.

PC Johnston leans back in his chair. ‘That’s all then, Connor.’

Connor stands, his knees weakening as the officer adds, ‘For now.’

It’s the change of lesson and the corridor is teeming with kids. Connor punches out another text to Mum: Tyler is missing. I’m scared.

And then he walks mindlessly towards his next class amongst the throng of pupils as though he is one of them.

As though he hasn’t done anything wrong.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Aidan

The radio announces the local news as Aidan is driving home.

Boy from Kings Park Secondary sixth form missing.

Several lines of inquiry are being followed.

As yet there are no leads.

Aidan swerves into a lay-by. He is shaking. He cracks open the window. Breathes in deeply.

His phone rings – an unknown number. He presses accept.

‘Aidan Walsh? This is PC Johnston. We’d like to ask you a few questions.’

Aidan tastes the vomit in the back of his throat.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Lucy

When the boys were small they had a Stretch Armstrong action figure. They’d each tug on an arm, laughing as the limbs grew and grew, wondering if he would snap. I feel like that toy now. Wishing I could snake one arm out around Connor and keep the other one here around Kieron.

The despair in Connor’s text is pressing down on me. I’m deliberating whether I should leave my youngest son alone while I go home and check on my eldest when my phone rings.

Aidan.

‘Christ, Lucy, have you heard about Tyler?’

‘Yes. Connor texted me. How—’

‘The police have called me. God, when I heard a boy was missing from the sixth form on the radio I was worried it might be Connor. I have to go into the station.’

‘The police station?’ It sounds stupid as it comes out of my mouth, it would hardly be the fire station. ‘But why?’

‘I was the last person to see Tyler apparently, when I dropped him off.’

I let that thought settle before I ask, ‘Did anything seem… off?’

‘Nope. Nothing. I keep going back over it but he was fine. We left you and Connor at the hospital and the boys seemed in good spirits. I dropped Ryan first and Tyler said he’d see him in the morning. We chatted about Kieron for the rest of the journey. Tyler thanked me for the lift as he climbed out the car. It was all… normal.’

‘Did you notice anyone weird hanging around outside of his flats.’

‘No. I didn’t take much notice though.’

‘Did you watch while he went inside?’