‘I’m afraid not.’ Tor smiles at him. He’s ever the optimist. ‘This is Vic,’ she explains to Maddy, introducing him. ‘He’s one of my regulars. And this is Maddy. She’s a volunteer, but she’s also looking for her son.’ Tor nods encouragingly at Maddy who takes the laminated photograph from the pocket of her coat.

‘This is the last photo I have of him,’ she says. ‘You haven’t seen him around? I’m not sure if he’s in Brighton, even?’

Vic scratches his beard. ‘Well, come to think of it, he looks familiar.’

‘He does?’

‘James … Jamie?’ Vic says.

‘Yes,’ Maddy says, stepping forward. ‘Yes … Jamie.’

She gasps, turning to Tor, her eyes bright with excitement and hope. She puts her hand on Vic’s arm. ‘You’ve seen him? He’s around here? He’s near?’ Her voice is shaking.

He flinches but Maddy doesn’t notice. Tor, realising he’s not used to being touched, steps in next to her and clutches her arm, gently pulling her away from him.

‘Not for a while. I chatted to him once,’ Vic says, but he looks cornered and confused by the drama his innocent comment has caused.

‘Do you know where he’s living?’

Vic just shrugs.

‘But is he … is he … like you?’

‘Well, quite a bit younger actually.’

Maddy tries again. ‘No, I mean …’

‘Yeah, yeah, I know. On the streets? Yeah, he was. At least when I saw him.’

Tor can see Maddy taking this in. They’ve talked about Jamie before and Tor has been keen for her to look on the bright side – and not to assume that he’s homeless or in trouble – so this sighting from Vic is a body blow. Tor feels a shiver in the pit of her stomach. She can’t imagine that a kid from Jamie’s background has fared well out there. Not with some of the characters she knows are around here.

‘But when? When did you see him? Exactly?’ Maddy persists.

‘Don’t recall,’ Vic says.

‘But how was he?’ Maddy presses. ‘How did he seem?’

Vic sighs. ‘Probably miserable. The young guys find it tough. Twenty-four hours on the street and you’re a changed person.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘There’s nothing like the terror of not having a roof over your head. Not feeling safe. Of being alone. So very, very alone. Of seeing the world for the first time as the dog-eat-dog place it is. That changes you in here, you know. Forever.’ Vic taps at his temple with a dirty finger.

‘Then tell me. Just tell me, where I can find him.’ Maddy sounds desperate, but Vic backs away.

‘I can’t help you.’ He turns and leaves. ‘Jesus, lady. That’s all I know.’

Tor puts her arms around Maddy, giving her a spontaneous hug, seeing her eyes brimming with tears.

‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare him off.’

‘It’s OK,’ Tor says, but she wants to tell Maddy that she has to be gentle with people. She’ll get the hang of it, Tor’s sure of it, but in this crowd, they’re here to help, not to ask too many questions. People are often just hanging on by a thread. They don’t have the will or energy to justify themselves.