‘The problem is, he’s left home and your granddaughter’s missing,’ she said quietly.

‘I’m sorry, what did you say?’ Anne shook her head, looking baffled. ‘I don’t understand. What do you mean, Daisy’s missing?’ The reality of the words seemed to hit her for the first time as she uttered them aloud. ‘I have to go and be with Jessica… We have to find my granddaughter. Have you spoken to Jason? Where has he taken her? But I don’t understand. Why didn’t he say anything? Have you spoken to him? Please…’

Her distress seemed genuine.

Geraldine leaned forward. ‘Please, Anne, take a deep breath. And another. I need you to think clearly. My colleague is tracing your son-in-law right now, and he will most likely clear this up. But we do need to talk to you.’

‘I need to be with Jessica. You’re telling me he’s taken Daisy without telling her where he’s gone. He must have planned it. He can’t just take her away from her mother like that, without a word. There must be a law against it. Surely that’s kidnap?’

‘Can you tell me exactly what your movements were yesterday, please? I’d like you to think very carefully about what happened after you woke up. Did you see your daughter and her baby?’

Anne frowned. ‘No.’ She broke off and stared at Geraldine in bewilderment. ‘How can this have happened? My granddaughter can’t have just disappeared. Find her.’ She drew in a deep breath. ‘There must be some mistake,’ she muttered. ‘This can’t be happening. Jessica’s not…’ She broke off, flustered.

‘Not what? What were you going to say about your daughter?’

‘What about my daughter?’

‘You started to say something about her,’ Geraldine prompted her gently. ‘What were you going to say?’

Anne sighed again. ‘You’ve met her, haven’t you? She has a beautiful soul, and she’s a wonderful mother, but she’s not… she’s not the most level-headed of people at the best of times. I thought she’d begun to settle down lately. For the past six months, since Daisy was born, my daughter’s been emotional. Very emotional. Very difficult. She’s always been highly strung and obstinate. I suppose we spoiled her. She’s so beautiful, and yet she went and married that man. Where’s the sense in that? My husband introduced her to so many nice young men –’

She gazed at Geraldine, seemingly pleading for reassurance.

‘I don’t think it’s uncommon for new mothers to be emotional,’ Geraldine replied. ‘Her hormones will have been –’