She drives straight past Lina the first time. The young girl has pressed herself into the corner of the bus shelter. She lifts her head briefly at the sound of the car, the hijab gives her away. Melissa pauses, reverses and parks, braking quietly. Lina is looking down again as Melissa walks towards her, as if still hoping to escape notice. She stands up at the last minute, tensed for escape, but it’s too late. Melissa puts her arms around her and holds her as closely and carefully as she would Sorrel.

‘Thank God. Oh, thank God.’ Melissa starts weeping, weeping as she hasn’t for years; for Lina, and for Ash, for Sorrel, for herself. Gradually the tension in Lina’s body disappears as if Melissa’s tears are melting her resolve. After a minute Melissa feels her back being gently patted; Lina is comforting her.

‘Sorry.’ Melissa brushes away her tears and takes Lina’s hand. ‘I’m sorry. Will you let me help you?’ Her heart beats fast as she waits. Lina could refuse and walk away, there would be nothing she could do then. Lina looks at her and inclines her head minutely, making her choice. Melissa takes her hand and they hurry across the road to the car. She gives Lina her passport and it’s Lina’s turn to weep. She holds her passport close against her chest, murmuring as she might to a child, tears dripping off her chin.

The traffic is building up – it takes an hour before they reach the outskirts of London, going west. Lina seems absorbed by the small streets, the skyscrapers, factories and bridges. Melissa is conscious she is driving away from Izzy who is probably in school assembly right now. I’ll be back for you later, sweetheart, she tells her daughter silently, I won’t be long. She glances at the clock on the dashboard. It’s nine – nearly two hours have gone by since her phone call.

‘There is a refuge in a town called Salisbury, a house where you will be safe, looked after. That’s where we are heading right now.’

Lina’s eyes are on the car in front; she is still clasping her passport. Her head is tilted towards Melissa, listening.

‘The people there need you to talk to them. I’ve already told them a little about your story but now they need to hear from you, to make sure you’re okay with this plan.’ Melissa hands over the phone. ‘A woman there speaks Arabic, you can tell her what you want to. You’ll be very private; I won’t understand a word.’

Lina speaks hesitantly at first but gradually the tone changes, becoming more animated. She speaks more confidently though there are tears in her voice. She listens then talks some more; after a while, she sounds calmer. The conversation lasts twenty minutes, and then she says goodbye.