I let out a barely audible groan as I roll my head forward, face flat against the floor, hoping to muffle the sound.

Tears of frustration leak from my eyes, pooling around my face.

Bonnie will know I’m missing, so I won’t be left for twenty-five years, yet it still might be too late. By the time she starts looking I could be long gone.

It hurts to lift my head to look at the carriage clock again. Still its gold numerals flicker out of focus. The sweet taste of sherry lingers on my tongue. My mouth is so dry. Annie must have drugged me. I’m not sure if the pain at the side of my head means she also hit me or I fell out of the chair.

My arm is a lead weight, but I reach it slowly to a small, sticky patch of blood on my temple.

The voices are still outside the room but they are more muffled. I need to get out before they come back for me, though the door must be locked, and with them on the other side of it, the only choice I have is a small window behind the desk.

I close my eyes one last time, pulling in all the strength I have, taking long, deep breaths before I force myself on to my palms.

Finally the hands of the clock come into focus. It is nearly midnight. Only hours before they’ll charge Danny or let him go.

Fight or flight? I’ll do either.

I ease myself on to my knees, grabbing the edge of the desk as my eyes blur and bile fills my mouth, and, despite the closeness of the window, it still feels out of my reach.

There is a slam outside the door as Bob asks, ‘Are you ready?’

I try to push myself to my feet, but the room spins around me like a waltzer. My elbow gives way, I drop down again, my head thudding against the floor once more.

‘Where is she?’ Bob’s voice booms into the room and my eyelids twitch.

Annie’s distant response comes quickly. ‘I left her on the floor.’

He steps inside and sees my feet. I close my eyes again to his panting breath; one hand curls around my ankle as he finds his way in the dark. ‘She’s out cold.’

I’m grateful my head is turned away from him. Flight is no longer an option so I have no choice but to fight, though I don’t see how when I can barely move.

Bob’s wrapping both his hands under my legs, dragging me out from beside the desk.

‘Is she breathing?’ Annie asks from behind him. Her voice is close now.