Logan was sprawled on his bed, game controller welded to his hands, and didn’t even glance at me when I opened his bedroom door. It was good to see him so relaxed. As horrendous as the confrontation had been with Mum last Sunday, it had managed to clear the air. Rachel’s client had been able to meet Mum’s needs and she’d already had her first counselling session. She’d returned home with a big smile on her face, saying that she thought it was going to make a huge difference.

I’d deliberately left my phone in the kitchen in the hope that Sam would reply if I wasn’t constantly watching it. I curled up on the sofa and flicked through one of Mum’s teddy bear magazines but I barely registered the pictures. Sod it. I’d have to check.

My heart leapt when I saw that my tactic had worked. There was a text message and a couple of missed calls from Sam’s number. I clicked on the text first:

✉︎ From Sam

Hello Jemma. This is Sammy’s mum, Carole. I don’t mean to worry you but something happened after lunch and he ran out, leaving his phone behind. He’s not with you, is he?

Oh my God! What on earth could have happened? Pulse racing, I dialled his phone, which his mum immediately answered. She filled me in on the news that Jack and Millie were expecting another baby and how Sam had seemed fine until they’d told him the due date.

‘I swear it was like he’d seen a ghost,’ she said. ‘Next minute, he was out of the door and sprinting down the street.’

‘What was the date?’

‘21st May.’

‘Does that mean anything to him?’

‘Not that I’m aware of. Nikki died in November and the wedding would have been June.’

‘Didn’t he meet Nikki in May?’

Carole sighed. ‘Sorry, love, but I can’t remember.’

‘I’m pretty sure he met her about the time my dad died. Mind you, even if it was the date they met, why would that cause him to run out? It doesn’t make sense.’

‘Nothing makes sense at the moment. Jack and David – Sammy’s brother and dad – have taken the car and have been driving round the streets but he could be anywhere.’

I could hear the panic in Carole’s voice and tried to keep mine calm. ‘Have they tried the beach?’

‘I don’t know. Do you think he’ll be there?’

‘He might be.’

‘Oh, hang on, love. They’re back. One second.’

I heard the sound of car doors banging and muffled voices. Jamming my phone between my ear and shoulder, I pulled on my boots and coat.

‘Jemma, love, are you still there?’

‘I’m still here. Any news?’