‘It wasn’t the right time.’ He shakes his head. ‘I kept trying to tell you, but you didn’t want to hear it.’

‘But I was already pregnant by then.’

Adam puts his hand to his forehead. ‘I just don’t think you and I…’

‘It wasn’t as if we could change our minds,’ Alison says softly.

‘Why didn’t you come back for the birth?’ PC Blunt asks.

‘I was going to, but I had an… accident and I needed to be on my own to sort my head out. The thought of coming back got harder and harder. I convinced myself you’d be better off without me.’ Adam raises his head and Alison can see streaks of tears on his cheeks. She’s never seen him cry.

‘Perhaps a phone call or a message to say you were all right would have helped?’ PC Blunt says.

‘That’s the thing, I wasn’t all right. I didn’t know how to explain that.’

‘The doctor confirmed he’s had a breakdown,’ PC Blunt says.

‘He’s put me on medication. It’ll take a couple of weeks to start working.’

‘But you did come back, without telling me,’ Alison says, crossing her arms again.

‘What are you talking about?’ Adam glances at PC Blunt.

‘You’ve been here, opened your post, changed your clothes,’ she directs her explanation at the policewoman, ‘he even took the photo of Jamie as a baby out of the frame on the landing.’

Adam shakes his head. ‘I’ve not set foot in this house once in all these weeks.’

PC Blunt leans forward. ‘Adam, this could be crucial. We need to know the truth for the sake of your baby.’

‘I swear on Jamie’s life I’ve not been here.’

Alison lets out a sob.

‘Can you think of anyone who may have taken your baby?’

‘No.’

‘Then we have a serious problem.’ PC Blunt gets to her feet. ‘Someone has your front door key and has been letting themselves in and out of your house. Possibly the woman your neighbours saw.’

‘Before Charlie was taken, nothing went missing apart from the baby photo.’

‘Can you confirm that you didn’t take this photo?’ PC Blunt asks.

‘No, I didn’t, how many times do I have to say it?’

‘And I don’t have a photo of Charlie to help them find him.’ Alison covers her eyes.

‘You’re kidding me?’ Adam lets out a sigh. ‘So how are you going to know it’s him if you find a baby?’

‘He’s got a small strawberry birthmark on his back in the shape of a crescent moon.’

‘Right, I’m off to speak to your ex-boyfriend, Tony Willis.’ PC Blunt leans on the table. ‘Is there anything else I should know?’

‘I don’t think so.’ Alison glances at Adam.

‘That bastard stabbed me.’