The stillness of the cold night air was my duvet, memories were my pillows and, to be honest, I found it all soothing. So much so that I jumped when my mobile on the bedside table unexpectedly began to ring. Swinging my legs out of bed, I sighed when I saw the caller ID. If I didn’t answer, she wouldn’t give up. I accepted the call.

‘Sephy.’

‘What the hell, Minnie? You know what time it is, right?’

‘Yes, but I wanted to be sure you wouldn’t be too busy to pick up.’

‘Is everything OK?’ I asked my sister.

‘I could ask you the same thing,’ she sniffed. ‘This is the third time today that I’ve tried phoning you. Why haven’t you phoned me back?’

‘I’ve been busy, Minerva.’

‘What’s going on?’

‘Nothing, except me trying to get some sleep and you getting in the way of that,’ I replied.

‘Sephy, I know you. What are you not telling me?’

‘Minerva, I haven’t got time for your nonsense at the moment. I’ll phone you at the weekend, OK? Bye.’

I disconnected the call. Almost immediately, my mobile started to ring again. I was all set to give my sister a blue mouthful when I saw it wasn’t her.

I accepted the video call before it could vibrate a third time.

‘Callie, are you all right? Have you heard anything? Troy?’

‘No, not yet, Mum. Did I wake you?’

‘No,’ I said, sighing.

‘I couldn’t sleep either.’ Callie echoed my sigh. ‘I’m sorry to phone at this early hour, but I needed to talk to you.’

‘That’s OK, love. I’m always happy to talk with you. Just a sec.’ I settled myself on the edge of the bed. My poor daughter. She sat, shoulders slumped, eyes red, mouth cast down. She looked like she hadn’t slept in days rather than hours. ‘I take it you haven’t heard anything from the kidnappers?’

‘No. Not a word.’ Callie sighed again. ‘I’m assuming you haven’t either.’

I shook my head, admitting, ‘This waiting around to hear from them is killing me.’

‘Oh, Mum, don’t say that. We’ll get Troy back. You’ll see.’

‘Waiting twenty-four hours before calling in the police is a long time, Callie. I’d hate for it to turn into a lifetime.’

‘Mum, I have faith in Tobey. I do. His daughter is missing as well, and he’s a politician with connections. Can we trust him for just a few more hours? Please?’

I immediately felt contrite. Callie had her own worries to carry without loading my doubts about Tobey onto her back as well. I forced a smile, hoping it would help to honey-coat my words. ‘Of course, but I’ll do it for your sake – and Troy’s – not his. Has Tobey heard anything?’

‘Not that he’s said, but, Mum …’

‘Yes?’