‘Amy Martin, you are the love of my life. We are going to have a baby together, and we are going to get back to being happy, but you have to, you absolutely have to remember that I love you, and I will never, ever do anything like that again.’

Alarmed, and saddened at seeing her husband in such a desperate state, Amy too got down on her knees.

‘Tell me her name.’ She was calm and collected. ‘Please. If you want this to stop, I need to know. It’s torturing me. Tell me her name.’

Johnny’s face fell and he closed his eyes. Amy watched as a single tear worked its way down his cheek. This was the moment they had both been leading to. She could feel it and she held her breath, feeling the blood pumping in her neck like a drum beating a countdown.

‘OK, I’ll tell you, but I need you to remember we had only been together for two months when it happened. Promise me you’ll remember that?’

Amy nodded, still holding her breath.

‘It was Alice, OK. It was Alice.’

Amy closed her eyes and slowly exhaled as the three words hit her like a punch to the chest. It was the name she had been dreading to hear, but the name she had expected all along. It was Johnny’s turn to hold his breath.

Very slowly, Amy got to her feet, supporting her bump with a hand beneath it. She walked over to him and looked down. He remained on his knees, looking up at her, waiting for her to speak.

‘OK.’ She put her hand on his head and ruffled his dark hair. ‘I forgive you.’ He wrapped his arms around her calves and began to sob relieved tears of joy. ‘Now,’ she said coldly, ‘get out.’

‘I can’t come to you because I don’t drive, and my Terry is working.’ Maggie was mildly excited at being contacted by the police.

‘We are happy to drive over and speak to you at home, if that helps?’ Palmer readied himself for another trip out.

‘That works for me. What time shall I expect you?’

‘Give us half an hour.’ Palmer wanted a chance to grab a bite to eat before having to conduct another conversation.

‘My kids are here. They won’t bother us, but I thought I’d warn you. My Jamie will probably just stay in his room on his computer, and I’ll tell Leigh to keep away.’

‘Very well.’ Palmer felt exhausted from speaking to her already. ‘See you soon.’

‘Bye.’ Maggie hung up and rushed upstairs to speak to her children. ‘Leigh, Jamie, get out here a minute.’ Leigh opened her door, still in her pyjamas, having had a late night out with her college friends. ‘Where’s your brother?’ Maggie stood with her hands on her hips.

‘Probably has his headphones on,’ Leigh yawned.