‘We’ll report her missin first, because that arsehole won’t ave done it. Then we convince em that we need to search the Potters’ place. We’ve got a thirty-minute drive to think about how we do it. The important thing is to get em involved, even if we ave to force the bastards.’

Declaration made, Mum is up and moving. I’ve seen her like this only once before. The night we lost Nan she’d been this grim and almost as determined. God help the Mundubbera cops. Uncle knows it too. He drags along in her wake, looking worried.

I walk with them to the door, wishing I could go but I know she won’t let me. ‘Mum, is there anything I can be doin?’

She turns on me and growls. ‘Stay. Here!’

I nod like my head is going to bob right off.

Grabbing her purse, she marches out. Uncle gives me one last dirty look. ‘Do as you’re told, Stacey Thomson.’

Once he’s out the door I roll my eyes. So not as scary as Mum.

I go to the kitchen and clean everything up while I listen for any doubling back by my paranoid parent. Not that I can really blame her. I am definitely up to no good. I keep a close eye on the clock while I clean. An hour to get there and back, probably a fair bit of paperwork. Lots of shouting from Mum to get the cops to listen, although they’re usually better than the Eidsvold fullas – they will at least listen. Maybe two hours max.

With a shiny kitchen and no sign of Mum, I go to the phone and call information.

‘Number for Toni Miller in Eidsvold please.’

I don’t need a pen. The first five digits are always the same.

I hang up and dial. I haven’t given myself much time to think, I decide to just bullshit my way through and hope like hell the Millers don’t have caller ID.

‘Hello?’

The air rushes out of me.

‘Sam, it’s me. Don’t hang up!’

There’s a brief silence when a woman’s voice in the background yells out.

‘Bloody telemarketers,’ Sam calls back.

‘I’m sorry! But I found somethin and I need to show it to May.’

‘Look, this is a really shit time. I’m about to head out fishin.’

‘Great! Where? I’ll come to you.’

‘No, there’s no good time, don’t fuckin call back,’ he snarls and hangs up.

I look at the phone in shock.

What the hell?

I shake it off fast. I need to get in touch with Rhi. We’re meeting with May, fuck Sam Miller and his opinions. I try Aunty Mel’s place but get no answer. The clock is ticking in time with my heart. My window is narrowing.

Their place is only a five-minute walk. I can do it in less.