She forces herself to breathe deeply, in out, in out, in out, focusing on the cool air sweeping the curtains to and fro. She reaches for the grey outline of a glass next to the bed and takes a sip of water. The tinkling sound of rain on the window quickly accelerates into a downpour. The white noise is welcome, filling the silent room.

She hears Max’s voice, distant, apologetic: Sorry darling, I couldn’t go on. Sarah’s right, he’s not the sort of person to do something like this. Since Chloe was born, they haven’t been as close. It doesn’t help that he spends so much time away, much more than before. But Chloe’s death has pushed her to the limit, why not him?

Within the music of the rain she can hear a cat wailing, louder and louder. But they don’t have a cat.

She stalks along the landing. The noise is coming from Emily’s room. For a second, she listens at the door before easing it open. Emily is standing at the open window with her thumb in her mouth, holding her ragged old comforter. Giant tears of rain are splashing on her face. Maddy tries to wrap her arms around her daughter, but with surprising force, Emily pushes her away, burying her head in the blanket, calling for Daddy. Maddy smooths a hand over the mattress. As she guessed, the bed is wet again.

After she’s washed Emily, she helps her into clean pyjamas and sits her on a beanbag, covering her with a fleece while she changes the sheets. She tucks her back in bed. Maddy stands at the window, breathing in the damp earthy air, praying that this is all a nightmare she’s going to wake up from, that Max will come home.

In the morning, Maddy rings Emily’s school and tells them what’s happened, that she’ll be keeping her at home today. She texts Sarah who insists on calling in after school to make them dinner.

The Family Liaison Officer, Susan, arrives early with an update.

‘How are you?’ Susan follows her into the kitchen.

‘We had a bad night, as you’d probably expect, especially Emily. I’m leaving her to sleep in.’

‘I’m afraid I don’t have good news for you yet, but they are still scouring the area,’ Susan says.

‘They’re not going to give up, are they?’

‘Not until they’ve done everything they can. There will probably be an appeal on your local news station later today and police boards have been put up near the brook appealing for eye-witnesses.’

‘What do I tell Emily?’

‘Tell her the truth, but I’d keep her away from the TV today if you can. It could be upsetting if she sees it on the news. Have you got people to support you, Maddy?’