Fiona’s warning made sense now. Had something similar happened to her when she and James had been seeing each other? She pondered on that for a moment, and decided it was possible, because Fiona wouldn’t have got the police involved, not at the risk of her marriage. Was James someone who manipulated people with kindness, got them cornered, then took advantage? A wolf in sheep’s clothing.

The ringing of her phone startled her from her thoughts. It was Hailey.

‘Where are you, Sara? I just went to the community centre looking for you.’ She was whispering, her words hissing into Sara’s ear. ‘We need to talk.’

‘I’m on the moors. Top of the quarry.’

‘Bloody hell, what are you doing up there?’ She sounded panicky now. ‘Don’t do anything stupid, okay?’

Bit late for that, Sara thought, glad that at least her sister sounded more sympathetic than the last time she’d spoken to her. ‘I’m fine, no need to get your knickers in a twist. I just needed some space to think.’

‘I’ll come and get you. I’ve found something out, and… Well, it’s better I tell you face to face.’ Sara’s heart stuttered. Sounds ominous. ‘And I have a little something for you as well.’

Before Sara could respond, Hailey had gone, leaving her wondering what she’d been up to. And why was she whispering?

Ten minutes later, from her perch on a large boulder, she watched Hailey’s car drive up the road and pull into the car park. She saw her get out of the driver’s side then open the back door and reach inside. A small figure hopped out. Ezra! Sara slid off the boulder and ran down the path to meet them, her feet pounding on the uneven ground, her breath catching in her throat as she forced herself to go faster. Running had never been her thing, but her body took over, the need to be with her son driving her onwards.

‘Mummy! Mummy!’ Ezra shouted, dashing to meet her, his cuddly Pikachu in one hand, bouncing against his leg.

Too breathless to speak, Sara scooped him into her arms and buried her face in his hair, breathing in the scent of him, relishing the warmth of his body, the softness of his skin against hers. She clamped her jaw tight, fighting back tears. Now was not the time to cry. She had to be strong. Ezra clung to her like a koala, arms wrapped round her neck, legs round her waist, and her body responded with an innate recognition that a missing part of her had been returned. They moulded together, mother and son, and for a few moments, nothing else mattered.

Hailey cleared her throat. ‘Don’t mind me,’ she said, but there was a smile in her voice.