There was nothing Sam could say. There was no point in offering Donna Cook platitudes or saying that they did keep an eye on things, or saying that the kids would only move somewhere else or saying–well, what could she say? That they would try to be more aware in case more toddlers were taken? That she was sorry about Matthew but she’d watch out for any other little boy being abducted?

She needed to get Donna back to what she had seen at the bus station that day, but she needed to be careful that the young mother didn’t clam up completely if she started to see Sam as one of the enemy. ‘Donna, you said that you were sure those kids on the CCTV were much younger? Are you sure it was them, and what age do you think they were?’

‘Kids. They were just kids. The girl–she had a rag doll thing in her hand. I remember seeing it, thinking it was cute, then realizing she was on her own and probably old beyond her years. They’d be lucky if they were double figures.’

Sam knew it was hard to judge. The kids she knew round this part of Edmonton Green were so streetwise at such a young age that it was hard to guess what age they were from their behaviour. They were usually so malnourished, if not already on booze and drugs by the time they were eleven or twelve, that they were often smaller than they should have been. Donna Cook wasn’t a reliable witness, but none of the other witnesses had proved to be much good either. Hopefully, the lines back at the temporary headquarters or the station would be ringing off the hook after that news bulletin and they would get some real leads. Her heart felt heavy–she needed to get out of here. It looked as if the family liaison officer wanted to talk to Donna anyway, as she lurked in the living-room doorway with Angie, hankie pressed to her reddened face, standing beside her.

‘Donna,’ said Sam, touching her hand gently, ‘I need to go. I want to get back. There should be some information coming in now and I would like to see how far the investigation is going, then I can get back to you if there’s anything positive. Is there anything I can get for you? Anything you want to ask me?’

Donna shook her head, staring again at the TV screen as if she was willing the story to run once more, just to see Matthew again perhaps, no matter what the circumstances. Sam moved towards the door and turned just as the woman looked around. ‘How can they look after him?’ she asked, weakly. ‘They’re just children themselves. How can they be looking after my baby properly?’