Sharon put her arm around her. ‘We haven’t got enough room for everyone turning up here.’ She looked around. ‘Some residents have offered their own homes to house a mixture of homeless kids and strays who’ve come looking for a meal, or just someone who cares.’

‘It’s astounding, Sharon.’ Thomas couldn’t praise the woman enough. While he’d been wallowing in self-pity in his mansion by the lake, she had been mobilising people to do something that might make a difference. He felt ashamed.

‘Mum would think you’re wonderful,’ Millie said, and Sharon smiled and patted her hand.

‘You know we’ve got young lads turning up who are gang members?’

‘Christ, be careful!’ Thomas looked wary.

‘I know what you’re thinking, but that’s the whole point of this. These young kids don’t want that life; they want what everyone wants, a place to call home.’

‘How do you know they’re genuine?’

‘I can tell. They’re also full of useful information, once they’ve had a good feed and some love and attention. They feel safe.’

‘How do you make them feel safe? The Cotton brothers could be anywhere, taking notes on who’s betraying them.’

‘There’s too many of us now. No one can get through us. Not even them. Today, somebody is gonna walk in here and tell me where they are. I can feel it in my waters. Today is the day.’

Thomas looked at her. Her capacity to hope was extraordinary. All he’d been thinking about was revenge. Smothered in anger and hate, he’d allowed himself to sink to the level of Ella’s killers. Jordan had watched him, and might even be carrying out his plans now because of how he’d reacted. This woman was creating something good out of something despicable and showing everybody else the way forward, without a note of self-pity or resentment.

He knew that for the time being, all he wanted to do was stay here, in this place, helping in any way he could.

That, and find his son.

Chapter 40

Kelly arrived at Eden House early. DS Will Phillips was waiting for her. She’d called him last night telling him that she wanted him in the office first thing to clear a few things up. Half of her expected him to go AWOL. But there he was. Emma Hide was at her desk and Kelly greeted them both. Later, she’d take Rob to the Beacon Estate, where they’d get an update from Sharon Bradley and follow up the addresses supplied by Jackson and Tyrone. She’d charged neither with an offence. Before she made any bold moves, she had to find out what Ormond was up to, and why he was so keen for Tyrone to be arrested.