Should she? She looked down at Frankie again. Helen would go out of her mind with worry. Perhaps there’d be some way she could let her know Frankie was safe? No, don’t be stupid, she thought. It would be fine. It would just be for a couple of days, then she could march into a police station carrying Frankie, saying she heard crying in the park, went to investigate and found her abandoned there, of course recognizing her immediately because she was her friend’s little sister. Everyone would be ecstatically happy with her. She’d get the reward – and, undoubtedly, her allowance reinstated. Helen and Sean would be so grateful! She smiled, already bathing in the glory of it all. Already picturing herself driving to college in her new Mini. She’d be able to afford the road tax and driving lessons and everything. All for the sake of two days of discomfort for her and Frankie, and worry for Helen, Alice and Sean.

Yes, it was more than worth the risk.

She scooped Frankie out of her cot and Frankie snuffled, opening and closing her mouth like a goldfish. There was a baby monitor on her chest of drawers, but it wasn’t switched on. Georgia knew that this was because she so rarely woke up any more, once she was asleep, and if she did, her voice was plenty loud enough to alert her parents without additional amplification.

‘Come on, sweetie-pie,’ she whispered. ‘We’re going for an adventure. You up for it? It would really help me out if you are.’ She hoisted Frankie up in her arms so that her head was on her shoulder. Wow, she was heavy. She considered taking the pushchair, then dismissed the idea – surely real kidnappers wouldn’t do that. Frankie babbled something, then went straight back to sleep, still clutching her weird thin little teddy bear. Excellent.

Georgia tiptoed down the stairs and out the back door, picking up the carrier bag on the way. When the cool night air hit Frankie’s fat hot cheeks, she jerked her head up and wailed briefly, and Georgia had to clap a hand over her mouth. She froze in the shadows of the back garden, staring up at Alice’s bedroom window, but there was no movement. Alice was obviously too busy with Larry to have heard anything. The neighbouring houses were dark and silent on both sides.