‘I’m sorry about that. My nana has a peculiar sense of humour when she gets going.’

‘That’s OK,’ said Libby, her face only just resuming its original colour. ‘I like her. You’re lucky you have a family who tease you.’

I couldn’t argue with that.

‘What will you do when the dust has settled?’ I couldn’t help asking. ‘Will you live with your dad?’

‘I don’t know.’ Libby’s fork clattered onto her plate. ‘I don’t know anything any more. I just want to sleep for a week and wake up to a world full of answers.’

I knew what she meant.

The front door opened. Hopefully that was Mum and Callie. One of the police officers who’d brought us home told us that Mum, Callie and Libby’s dad, Tobey, had worked to secure our release. I owed each of them a big hug.

Libby retrieved my crutches and handed them to me. After she’d helped me to my feet, I headed for the hall with Libby right beside me.

Callie and Tobey were in the hall. I looked past them. They were alone. I took a closer look at my sister. She was crying. My heart dropped. A tight band started to contract round my chest.

‘Callie, where’s Mum?’

My sister slowly shook her head.

‘Callie, answer me. Where’s Mum?’

sixty-six. Callie

Beyond exhausted, I watched a watery sun rise from behind the treetops to the east of our garden. I was in Mum’s house in my old bedroom. Troy had finally gone to bed, distraught and worn out from crying. And all I could do was hug him and cry with him. My eyes, like my heart and soul, were so very tired and sore. I hadn’t even told Nana Meggie yet. I saw no point in waking her up to give her the terrible news that Mum had passed away. It could wait until she woke up.

Downstairs, in the kitchen, Tobey was making me the cup of herbal tea he’d insisted I needed. I was too weary to argue. My brother was safe and back home, but look at what it had cost.

He had been kidnapped and traumatized.

My mum had been shot and was gone.

And the man responsible for it all was downstairs making me a cup of tea.

He’d been in the kitchen for over ten minutes when I made my quiet way down to find out what was taking so long. As I walked towards the kitchen, I could hear Tobey talking on his mobile. Something in his tone made me halt outside the kitchen door, moving to one side so he wouldn’t see me.