But then her mother had got engaged to a famous rock star and she’d been raped. In real life.

She’d better follow them to make sure things were all right. Pulling a beanie out of her bag, she crammed it on her head, dragging it right down to hide her hair, then put on her sunglasses.

Hands in pockets, slouching along, followed the trio to the park and when they were sitting by the swings, she moved past and out of their hearing to ring her mother. ‘Come on, answer it!’ she muttered as it rang several times.

Just as she’d started wondering who else to ring, someone said, ‘Hello?’

‘Mum! Thank goodness you’re there. I’ve just seen Tom’s children with their mother. Is—’

‘Andi, she’s kidnapped them and she’s injured Jane. Where are you? I’ll call the police and tell them. Don’t go near them, whatever you do. She’s behaving irrationally and we’re terrified she’ll hurt the children. I’ll ring you back when I’ve spoken to the police, or maybe they’ll ring you. Don’t let them out of your sight.’

Andi shoved the phone in her bag, terrified she’d lose the kids. To her relief, Gail was still sitting on a bench and seemed to be drowsing, so she found a bench too and sprawled on it, hands in pockets.

The children were sitting near their mother, eating their crisps. They were amazingly quiet and kept looking anxiously at the dozing woman as if to make sure they hadn’t disturbed her. Once Ryan started to say something and Hayley put up one finger to her lips to shush him.

Come on! Andi thought. Someone come and help them.

Her phone rang and when she answered it, a man’s voice said he was from the police.

‘Where are you exactly?’

‘Still in the park, near the playground. They haven’t moved.’

‘Are the children all right?’

‘Yes.’

‘What’s she doing?’

‘Seems to be dozing.’

‘Do not approach them. She’s dangerous, has already hurt one person. But if you can, try to keep them in sight without her realising. Just till we get there and secure the area.’

‘Yes, of course.’

Everyone waited with Kevin in the security room. Tom couldn’t sit still, kept pacing up and down, trying to work out what had got into Gail to hurt poor Jane. Did she really think he’d settle down with her again? She must. She’d sounded … well, triumphant was the only word for it.

When the house phone rang, Kevin picked it up. ‘Sophie,’ he mouthed. He listened intently, then turned to explain to Tom where his children were. ‘The police say we’re not to go near them.’

‘But that park is only a few streets away from here.’

‘They don’t want you to spook her. They’re afraid for the children. They’re going to clear the park first, to make sure no one else gets hurt.’

‘No way am I staying here while she’s within reach. They’re my kids, Kevin. How would you feel if they were yours?’