Think, Caroline. If you admit everything now, that’s the end of any contact with the kids. Jack will be right. I’ll be crazy. If I don’t say anything, there’s a woman missing and they think it’s me. Oh my God. Has he planned this?

Then there’s her own actions to think about. She was the one. Like Katy said. He loved her. Kept going back to her. She knew all along about me.

Knowing what I know now, I expect he told her that it was all but over between us. Still, who did she say she was to Charlie and Laura? Daddy’s friend? Bullshit. I want a cigarette even though I don’t smoke. Both #cheatingbastards, Jack and Emma. They’re in it together, still. She isn’t a regretful ex, like Paula said. I should have known.

I push the coins into the coffee machine with shaking hands and wait for the clunk of the cup. Everything is amplified and my vision is extra sharp. Fear can do that to you. I take the steaming cup and get another one for Lorraine and DI Ball. I hurry back down the corridor and open the door.

‘Can’t get hold of him. But I got this for you.’

They’re staring at me. Arms folded. DI Ball speaks.

‘So?’

‘Like I said, I don’t know where she is.’

‘OK, have it your way.’ DS Percy gets up and opens the door. ‘You’re free to leave. But don’t blame me when we’re arresting you. You’ve had your chance.’

I look at my coffee, steaming in front of me. DS Percy’s not looking at me. She’s staring at the floor, livid.

‘You know I just want my kids back, don’t you?’

She nods ever so slightly and pulls the door to.

‘I do. That day when I told you about your daughter, I felt sorry for you. I thought you’d got the rough end of the bargain. Involved in the Peter Daubney thing with the photos, and that. But this. A woman missing. An innocent woman. I’m trying to help you here, but you’ve got to help me.’

Is she trying to help me? Or is she trying to get me to admit it so she can arrest me? I just don’t know. Lorraine has softened a little.

‘Look. You can still save yourself. Nothing bad will happen. You’d be charged and then bailed. It’s a crime of passion and you’d probably get community service.’