They pull into the industrial estate and park in front of Wacky Warehouse. Emily bounces out of the car with excitement. Inside it’s packed with screaming children and loud pulsing pop music. She takes Emily’s shoes and coat and lets her run off into the ball pit, while she keeps an eye on her as she navigates through mesh tunnels with hordes of children.

It’s not long before she spots the boy, pulling himself up a slide. A child is sitting at the top waiting. Jamie’s distinctive golden hair is stuck to his forehead with sweat. He turns around and slides down. The younger boy launches himself after him, his socked feet thudding into Jamie’s back. There’s no sign of Alison.

‘Hello Jamie.’ Maddy smiles and holds out a hand to him. He’s turned to shout at the boy behind but thinks better of it and frowns at her. She moves her hand closer to him. ‘Grab hold.’

He takes her hand and she pulls him to his feet. When they are facing each other, she stops and blinks at him. Seeing him this close-up is a shock. He’s so like Max.

‘Are you all right? He gave you quite a kick,’ she stumbles over the words.

‘Do I know you?’ Jamie mumbles.

‘I know your dad. You probably don’t remember me. Is he here?’

‘No, Mum brought me. She’s gone shopping. I’m with Ethan for his party.’ He points at some children, but there are so many, he could mean anyone.

‘How do you know my dad again?’ His cheeks flush.

‘Oh, from years ago, we err… worked together. You’ll tell him you bumped into me, won’t you?’

‘I don’t know when he’ll be home.’ He says it in a sullen accusing way.

‘So, where is he?’ She rubs her hands together then twists them round, trying hard to suppress her impatience and irritation. She wonders if she grabs his shoulders and shakes him, he’ll answer her questions more quickly.

‘Working again, but I want him to come home. He doesn’t tell Mum when that will be and she moans at me all the time.’ He whinges like a teenager but he’s not even ten. How easy it would be to say she knows where Daddy is and why doesn’t he come with her to see him.

Behind him, Emily is coming down a slide. Maddy waves at her, but by the time she reaches the bottom, Jamie has run off into a crowd of children and she’s lost sight of him. She berates herself. How could she think of doing such a terrible thing?

‘Where were you, Mum, I couldn’t see you?’ Emily says.