Alfie stared at Franny, wondering when the right time was to talk about Shannon, to talk about what Charlie had said, but looking at Franny, clearly it wasn’t now. ‘Fran, I’m speaking to you. I want to know what the fuck is going on.’

Trying to speak, Franny put her head in her hands and began to sob. Her whole body ached. Her head felt a mess. In fact, she’d never felt so helpless in the whole of her life.

‘Franny.’

Quickly, she looked up, scooting around in her chair. Alarmed, she gazed around, her eyes darting about. She stared at Alfie, speaking in a whisper. ‘Did you hear that?’

Alfie looked at her strangely. ‘Hear what?’

Wide-eyed and scared, Franny looked at Alfie. ‘It sounded like someone was calling my name, Alfie. Did you hear it? It sounded like a woman’s voice.’

He shook his head, concern etched over his face. ‘It’s just the wind, darlin’. Listen, you need to get some sleep. This is exactly what I was like, thinking I was hearing things, thinking I was going mad.’

‘That was different – you were taking all that shit, I’m not.’

‘No, but you’re tired and stressed, exactly how I was. Look at you, Fran. You haven’t slept. That alone can send people crazy.’

Rubbing her temples, Franny’s eyes pricked with tears. ‘It isn’t just that though.’

‘Then tell me what’s going on. Tell me where you’ve been. Like I said before, I can’t help you if don’t tell me what’s going on. I thought you and me, well, I thought we were a team?’

Needing to believe it herself, Franny said, ‘We are … we always have been. You know I’ve always told you everything.’

‘Then don’t stop now. Come on, maybe I can help.’

Franny gazed into Alfie’s eyes. ‘I thought I had a lead, with Mia … It turns out it wasn’t.’

Alfie stood up, reaching for his cigarettes. ‘Jesus Christ, Franny, that’s exactly what I’m talking about; you should’ve told me. For God’s sake, all this secrecy has to stop.’

Franny nodded. ‘I know, I know, but I didn’t want to get my own hopes up and whilst you were getting the takeaway …’ She paused to make sure her story sounded sincere, half believing it herself. ‘Well that’s when I got a call. I did try to get in touch with you …’ She trailed off.

‘From who? Who was the call from?’

She shrugged, beginning to feel uncomfortable with all the questions. ‘Just someone I know.’