Maggie watched him, waiting for him to say, Happy birthday, Leo or Give him to me, but he said nothing. Her heart skipped; the weight in her stomach lifted.

He backed out of the room. The door clicked shut behind him.

‘Leo,’ she said. ‘Let’s have breakfast.’

3

‘Hands out,’ she said. ‘Watch the socks.’

Leo stood in front of her, his hands cupped in front of his chest. She sat cross-legged, a balled-up pair of white socks in her hand.

‘Ready?’

Leo nodded.

‘One, two, three … catch!’

She threw the socks in a gentle arc. They hit his hands and his fingers closed around them.

‘Well done! What a great catcher you are! You throw to me.’

Leo launched the socks into the air. They flew to Maggie’s right; she dived to catch them.

As she landed on the carpet, she heard the scraping sound.

It wasn’t time for the man to come. It was only an hour since breakfast. It was still morning.

She stared up at the door, the socks in her outstretched hand. The handle turned, and it opened.

The man walked in. He looked at her and frowned, then shook his head dismissively. His hands hung by his side. They were empty. He was not bringing food or cleaning equipment or anything that explained why he was here.

He pointed at Leo.

‘Come here, Leo,’ he said.

Maggie sprang upright and grabbed Leo’s hands. She pulled him tight to her.

‘No,’ she said. ‘He’s not going with you.’

The man’s face was expressionless. ‘Give him to me.’

‘No.’ She backed up and climbed on to the bed. ‘He’s staying with me.’

‘Don’t make this worse than it needs to be. Give him to me.’

‘Why? Why do you want to take him?’

‘Because he’s three. It’s time.’

So he did know it was Leo’s birthday and this was happening again. Well, so be it. The first time she’d been taken by surprise. Not again. This time, she wasn’t going to let it happen.

She had a plan. She’d thought this through. She’d keep him talking then, as soon as he made any move towards her, she’d attack him. Hit him in the balls, scratch his eyes: whatever it took. And then she’d get out of here.

‘What’s so special about him being three?’

He didn’t answer. Without warning he darted towards her, hands outstretched, and grabbed her shoulders. He was very quick; she was surprised by his speed.

And his strength. He threw her on to the floor with a flick of his wrist. Leo was on the mattress and she reached out for him, but the man pinned her to the floor with his knees. With his hands free, he leaned over and picked up Leo.