Gail watched the babysitter walk away, only vaguely aware that both children were crying. She looked at her watch and decided it was time to call Tom. But first she pulled the bottle of wine she’d bought at the supermarket out of her bag and took a good long swig. That tasted much nicer than whisky. Just a couple of swigs to calm her nerves, not enough to make her do anything foolish.

She pulled out her phone and dialled Tom’s number. There was no answer. What was he doing? If he’d gone to the police about this, she’d make him very sorry indeed.

She sat down on top of a rubbish bin near the entrance and leaned back against the wall, suddenly feeling exhausted. ‘You kids sit on the floor.’

They went across to the far side to sit. Her daughter stared at her in silent accusation, one cheek red from the slap.

‘And don’t look at me like that!’ she shouted at Hayley. Ryan was still crying. She was tired of the noise. ‘Be quiet, you, or I’ll smack you too!’

‘Want a drink.’

She looked down at her bag. Damn! She’d forgotten to get them a can of pop each. ‘There’s a tap. Let him drink from that.’

‘He can’t reach it.’

‘Then get some in your hand and let him lap it up.’

Hayley pulled her little brother to her feet and took him across to the sink, whispering in his ear. Gail was going to ask what she was saying, but it was too much trouble and anyway, whatever it was shut him up, thank goodness.

She leaned back against the wall, tired out after her disturbed night. She could hear the tap still running. She’d open her eyes again when it stopped and then decide what to do.

She jerked awake, realising she was dozing again and the tap was still running. She couldn’t see the children anywhere. ‘Where are you two hiding?’ she called.

There was no answer, no sound of giggling or rustling. She glanced towards the row of cubicles, but couldn’t see any feet underneath the doors. Not in there, then. Aghast, she rushed to the entrance. There was no one at all in sight. Where the hell could they be? She couldn’t lose them now or she’d have no way of making Tom do as she wanted.

‘Ryan! Hayley! Where are you?’ she called. But there was still no answer.

She stumbled round the building but could see no sign of them, so she had another swig of wine as she thought what to do.

How had they got so far away without her hearing them? She hadn’t done more than doze for a minute or two.

Tom and Kevin ran all the way to the park and found that the police had set up barriers at the gates and were shepherding the last few people out. A group of bystanders had gathered to watch from behind some blue-and-white tape.