I am in a narrow cul-de-sac and I’m looking for something. I don’t know what it is but my whole body strains with anxiety as I search behind piles of rubbish and cardboard boxes. Grey and black cats slink along the oozing walls and although I can’t see them, I sense that there are other animals here too, wild animals who have made their lairs inside the boxes. Suddenly there are people standing at the mouth of the cul-de-sac and when I see them I remember that what I’m hunting for is my mobile phone, because I need to call Jack and Lola. But now I have to avoid the men, because they are going to rob me and I won’t be able to ring my children. I summon up all my strength and charge forward, straight at the people. As I start running I feel the wild animals at my heels, their low bodies hugging the ground and their red tongues showing. Ahead of me I can see the men’s faces and they are smiling because I’m plunging into their trap. They have the knives from the bindery. Then my phone starts ringing.

I opened my eyes. My mouth was dry and I was stiff from having curled at an awkward angle in the deckchair. My headache was worse. As the dream receded I realised that the ringing was from the house phone in the kitchen. I stumbled inside to answer it and as I mumbled ‘Hello?’ I saw the digital clock on the oven showing five past seven. I must have slept for nearly half an hour.

‘Sadie?’

It was Mel. We had only seen each other once since Grasse.

‘Yes. I was asleep in the garden.’

Mel began to talk, but I had to interrupt her. ‘Actually, Jack should have been back an hour ago. Can I call you later when I’ve got him home?’

‘Sure,’ Mel said warmly. ‘Just let me know everything’s okay.’

I dialled Audrey’s number. I hung on and on, listening to the ringing tone. I would let it ring all night, I decided, if that was what it took.

‘Yes?’

‘It’s Sadie here. Is Jack still with you?’

‘Yes.’

‘Can I speak to him, please? And he’s supposed to be home at six every evening, Audrey.’

The only answer was silence. I heard Audrey putting the receiver down and walking away. I chewed at the corner of my mouth as I waited.

‘Mum,’ Jack said at last in a heavy voice.

‘Do you know what the time is?’

‘What?’

I lifted the hair off my collar, feeling the sweat on the exposed skin. Jack sounded as if he didn’t have any idea of the time, barely even knew who I was. ‘Jack,’ I said clearly. ‘I’m coming in the car to pick you up. I’ll be there in ten minutes.’

‘Mum …’