Megan picked up the bottle, carrying it to the kitchen, where she poured the entire contents down the sink, before returning. ‘Do you want a sandwich or something.’

‘I can’t face eating.’

‘You’ve lost weight. You’re looking thin.’

Dale forced a brittle smile. ‘When we get our lovely girl back we’re going to give her the best time of her life, a party with all her friends, no expense spared. You wait and see. It’s going to be brilliant.’

Megan’s face was ashen. ‘Don’t you mean “if ” we get her back? The police don’t s-seem to be getting anywhere.’

‘There may be things they’re not telling us.’

She nodded twice. ‘I could ask DS Lewis off the record. He s-seems like a decent enough man. It’s got to be worth a try.’

‘What about Kesey?’

‘The woman arrested me. And all because of some ridiculous anonymous phone call. I don’t feel I can trust her any more. She let me down.’

He sipped his coffee. ‘She’s doing her job, that’s all. You know how the system works.’

Megan made a face. ‘Maybe you’re right.’

‘I’ve made some more posters.’

‘We could put them up tomorrow.’

He rose to his feet. ‘Okay, I’ll be back first thing. At least we’ll be doing something. Sitting and waiting achieves fuck all.’

Megan looked out of the window as the rain began to fall. ‘You can sleep on the sofa if you like, just for tonight. I’m on compassionate leave. We could head into town straight after breakfast.’

‘Um, yeah, if you’re sure?’

‘I’m not sure about very much at all any more. But I need to sleep. If I know you’re here, I’ll feel safe to take a tablet. But it’s only for tonight. I wouldn’t want you getting the wrong idea.’

‘Okay, thanks, Meg, it’s appreciated.’

‘You do realise this isn’t us getting back together, don’t you? It’s a matter of convenience, nothing more.’

He broke eye contact, shoulders slumped. ‘Yeah, you’ve made that perfectly clear. Let’s just focus on getting Lottie back. Until that’s achieved, nothing else matters.’

She went to close the curtains, looking out as Heath walked past carrying a black umbrella. He was glancing at the house. She waved as he hurried along the wet pavement.

‘Who was that?’

‘Oh, it’s just Martin, he walks past most evenings. He’s a teaching assistant at Lottie’s school.’

‘Ah, yeah, I met him at the sports day. He seemed like an all right sort of bloke from the little I saw of him.’

Megan nodded. ‘Yes, he is, I’ve spoken to him a few times now. I like him, and Lottie does too. He’s always friendly, always interested, and never dismissive. I had to rush away the last time I saw him at school. He seemed disappointed for some reason I still can’t quite understand. I guess he must be the sensitive sort.’

Dale rolled his eyes. ‘Maybe he’s gay. Some blokes are too soft for their own good.’

Megan pecked Dale on the cheek, barely touching his skin. She was thinking that a bit of sensitivity on his part wouldn’t go amiss. A bit of yin to go with his yang. ‘Goodnight, Dale, please say a prayer for Lottie. I’ll see you in the morning.’