In the kitchen, she checks the chat. Dominica and Claire are about to leave. Helga and Maddy are coming too. She steels herself and refreshes the fundraising page. She’s fifty per cent to her target, but her family haven’t put their money in yet and Dominica says some of her work colleagues have promised sponsorship.

It’s eerie setting out in the dark. Lotte’s bike has a flat tyre and they’re the only people around as they walk along the middle of the road, the blurred streetlamps reflected in the puddles.

‘It’s freaky. It’s like we’re in a computer simulation,’ Lotte says. ‘It’s weird being sober at this time in the morning.’

A fox is by the big black bins, where it licks a discarded takeaway box. It stops and stares at them.

The road on the seafront is empty, the traffic lights green in both directions, but it’s getting lighter and the sea ahead a dark-green haze. There’s no horizon.

The Sea-Gals are waiting by the groyne, their Dryrobes bright against the grey wall. Dominica has her bike light on, illuminating their little group. There’s some others joining too – Arek from the charity and five or six others that she doesn’t recognise, and she feels a wave of gratitude, for people getting up at dawn.

The tide is out, but the water is choppy and Tor knows already that she’ll be in for more bruises on her shins getting in and out. She really doesn’t want to take off her coat, but they all strip off quickly. Lotte does up her neoprene cap with the chin strap and claps her gloved hands together. She’s so covered in waterproof gear, she looks like a seal. Tor introduces her to Maddy and she’s pleased that they seem to get on.

‘I’ve heard so much about you,’ Lotte says. ‘Tor said you were brilliant at volunteering.’

‘It’s nice to be able to help out.’

Arek comes down the beach. ‘Oh, Maddy. I meant to tell you,’ he said. ‘I was chatting to one of my regulars. I was telling him about Jamie and he knew a guy that fitted the description.’

Tor stares at Maddy and they both look at Arek.

‘They know where he is?’ Maddy asks.

Arek shakes his head. ‘No. I tried to get more, but the guy was high. He didn’t speak that much English. That’s all I got. I’m sorry. But they think he’s here in Brighton.’

Maddy nods and Tor sees her fighting back the emotion.

‘At least he’s near,’ Tor says, trying to comfort her. ‘At least it’s something, right?’

‘I heard of this private detective agency,’ Lotte said. ‘One of my clients at the salon used them, to help look for her daughter. I’ve got her number somewhere. It’s not cheap, but it might be worth a try.’

Maddy smiles. ‘Thank you. That would be great. I’ll do anything at this point.’

Tor smiles gratefully at Lotte, glad she’s come.

They all set off towards the water’s edge in a group. In the fine mist, they can only see a few metres in front of them.