‘It means, if you kill me in the line of duty, you have to pay Hannah’s school fees,’ Jack replied with a grin. Ridley appreciated the glibness of Jack’s response. It lightened the moment. ‘I guess, sir,’ Jack added more seriously, ‘it means that if Hannah’s ever in trouble and feels that she can’t come to her parents, we know that there’s a safe pair of hands waiting for her in the wings.’

Ridley cleared his throat. ‘I’d be honoured, Jack.’

Jack headed home to discuss the Cotswolds assignment with Maggie. Once Jack had gone, Ridley took out his mobile and opened his photo album. It was clear to see that he only had around ten photos stored, showing no private moments or special memories. But the last photo was from Maggie. It was an image of Hannah, fast asleep, on the day she was born. There was text accompanying the picture:

Hannah Penelope Warr. 15 May 2021. 6lb 4oz.

The corner of Ridley’s mouth curled with a pride he’d never felt before. This precious baby was being entrusted to him, in the unlikely absence of her parents. Adrenaline started coursing around his body as he experienced a sensation that had been alien to him for years: he felt nervous.

Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5

Jack watched Maggie from the lounge door as she breastfed Hannah. It seemed clear that sucking and breathing at the same time was impossible, so Hannah would noisily drag air in through her nose in between guzzles, while something sounded like it was gurgling at the back of her throat – milk? Phlegm? It sounded horrible. ‘She’s so noisy,’ he said with a frown.

‘She’s this noisy at midnight, and 2 a.m., and 4 a.m. Doesn’t seem to disturb you too much then,’ Maggie replied. She said it gently, but Jack knew she was exhausted and couldn’t help pointing out how easy Jack had it in comparison.