‘I’ll be fine, Jess, you go.’ I step back, waggling my fingers at Daisy. Jess looks uncertain, but I nod at her enthusiastically. ‘Honestly, I’ll be fine. Kelly’s here. You go.’ I want her gone before Fran looks out the window and sees Daisy. I can’t imagine that she’d want to see her daughter’s best friend, not when her own child is gone. If I’m honest I’m finding it hard enough to see Daisy without Laurel beside her, and I am relieved when Jess finally turns to leave.

‘Are you OK?’ Kelly lets out a stream of smoke, picking a tiny piece of tobacco from between her teeth, and I have to struggle to stop my mouth curling up in disgust. The smell of cigarette smoke always puts me on edge. ‘I’ve spoken to DI Dove.’ So, she does know what’s going on over at the field. ‘I haven’t told Fran yet. I was waiting for you to get back. I thought she might need you.’

‘I’ll tell her,’ I say, ‘I don’t mind. No offence, but it might be better coming from me than from you. She knows me. She trusts me.’ When it suits her. Kelly wavers for a second before she gives a small nod.

‘OK.’ She stubs out her cigarette and throws the butt into the black bin. ‘Let’s head back in.’

I don’t have any choice but to agree, and my heart feels as though it’s lodged in my throat as I slide the door handle down and step into the front hallway. The house is cool, chilly almost, and I realise that the heating timer has probably switched off, and Fran hasn’t noticed. I peer into the living room, expecting to see her tucked into the huge grey Conran sofa, the plush corded material etching lines into the skin of her bare feet as she sits with them tucked up beneath her, her pose of the last twelve hours, the light from the Tiffany lamp casting a yellow glow across her face. But the living room is empty, with only the faint scent of Fran’s perfume on the air. I step along the hall into the kitchen, thinking that maybe she’s making a cup of tea, but the light airy room is also empty.

‘Shall I?’ Kelly nods her head towards the sink and I shrug. I don’t want any more tea – it feels as though all we’ve done since we got home last night is drink tea.