She lay still, waiting to hear her mum’s voice, but nothing came back. Just a dog whining, and a telly down low and a funny smell. Perhaps she was at an uncle’s and Mummy had gone out? Except – when she did that, Mummy always brought Snuggabear and left her a biscuit and something to drink. Here, it was just the dog and shouting and guns on the telly.

She slid off the bed and padded towards the door. Mummy must be watching telly in the lounge. That’s why she hadn’t left the light on. She pressed the handle and pulled the door.

But it was stiff.

Or stuck.

She tried again, pushed this time. The handle went down but the door wouldn’t move. Something was wrong. ‘Mum? Mummy? I’m scared.’ She tried the door again. Rattled the handle as hard as she could. Last time this happened, Mummy’d gone out, and she’d locked her in to keep her safe. But that was at home, and it didn’t matter because Mummy gave her a kiss.

‘Mummy? I don’t like this. I’m scared and I’m thirsty.’ A single tear crept bravely down her pale cheek. Then her eyes filled up and very quietly, in the dark room, she began to sob.

Dan, 11 a.m.

Dan, 11 a.m.

Dan and Maya were in Brick Lane to gather information on what might have motivated the arson. Overhead, a giant crane boom swung its red jib across the rooftops and plunged its bucket into a semi-demolished building. Dan had never seen so many tradies in one spot. No matter which direction he cast his eye, builders were standing around in huddles of testosterone. In their high-viz jackets, hard hats and work boots, they bellowed in an array of languages as they slurped tea and rolled fags.

The two of them passed barber’s, saree shops, fabric outlets, halal butcher’s and money transfer shops.

‘Dad used to send money home to relatives,’ Maya shouted over the beeping of a reversing digger. ‘Took ten years for him to be able to afford to, I think, but after that he did it every week.’

‘Were your folks planning to go home eventually?’ Dan asked.

‘I honestly don’t know.’ She frowned, as though the idea was out of reach. ‘Dad liked it here and Mum has always wanted to go home to Bangladesh, but I don’t recall it being discussed.’

Dan knew Maya’s father had left them when they were kids. ‘She must’ve been even keener when your dad left. Imagine how different your life would’ve been if she’d taken you guys with her.’

A shadow fell over Maya’s face.

‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to pry.’ Dan cursed his tactlessness. It was obvious how much Maya’s family situation affected her still.

‘You weren’t.’

Dan wasn’t sure if she was going to say any more.