‘In the north-east, in Sunderland. Please tell Evan we wouldn’t have found them without his help. He was very brave and very unselfish to help us with those interviews. I know he didn’t want to, and how difficult it was for him. So please thank him from everyone, especially Liam’s family.’

‘I will.’

‘The thing is,’ says Rose, ‘we’re going to need him again. There’ll be a trial, of course, and we’ll need Evan to give evidence. It won’t be for a few months yet. There’s plenty of time to get him ready emotionally.’

‘It can’t be avoided?’

‘I’m afraid not. But it will be video testimony. He won’t have to see his abductors.’

‘How many were there?’ Claire has asked the question before she realises she doesn’t want to know, and Evan doesn’t want her to know. ‘No, don’t tell me. What do you think we should do about Evan seeing the news? Do you think it would be good for him?’

‘If he asks, then let him,’ says Rose. ‘Remember you gave him your word you’d take no interest. I would just leave the news alone. Watch something more cheerful instead.’

It isn’t until Claire hangs up that she notices Evan at the top of the stairs, standing in the shadows, listening.

She smiles up at him.

‘Hi, sweetie,’ she says. ‘That was Rose, from the police. Do you want to know what she said? It was quite important.’ She pats the step beside her as encouragement, and Evan comes down and sits beside her. ‘They’ve got them, Evan. They’ve got the men who took you.’

She isn’t prepared for Evan’s reaction, the burying of his head on her shoulder, the racking sobs and the way he clings to her. She puts her arms around him and pulls him close. The lounge door opens, and Jack appears. When he sees Evan crying, he looks concerned.

‘They arrested them in Sunderland,’ she says to Jack. Then she looks down at Evan, only now understanding the threat that he’s felt, the fear that they might come for him to silence him. ‘They can’t get you now, sweetheart. They’re all locked away. And they found Liam. Liam’s fine’ – though she knows this is a lie – ‘and there was a little girl there too. Rose says it was thanks to you and what you told them in Harrogate that they found them. She says thank you from Liam’s mum and dad.’

Jack’s thinking of returning nightmares.

‘I think you should stay,’ he says. ‘It’s quite a shock for this young man.’

‘It’s a shock for us all,’ says Claire. ‘I’d better ring your dad and let him know.’

‘And I think we should have a little celebration,’ says Jack. ‘A cup of tea, and chocolate digestives all round.’