She spoke rapidly. ‘I know I don’t know him, but I do know you can’t trust what Barry said. He’ll be telling you anything to get himself out of trouble. He’ll be saying stuff that you can’t take seriously.’

Slightly confused, Alfie said, ‘I never saw him.’

Huge relief immediately passed over Franny. She let out a long sigh. ‘Really? How come?’

Alfie, emotionally drained, shrugged, unable to tell Franny the story yet.

‘So, where’ve you been? I was worried. I tried calling you. Like I say, I thought, maybe Barry, you know, had said some stuff to you.’

Exhausted from the evening, Alfie gazed at Franny, noticing the strain in her eyes. ‘Like what?’

On edge, Franny chewed on her lip. ‘I … I don’t know, but I understand how difficult it would’ve been. Look, I just want to be here for you.’

Alfie smiled, feeling his own relief at seeing Franny. It was exactly what he needed. He kissed her on her head before bringing her in to his chest, holding her close. ‘I didn’t see Barry, but I’ll explain everything later. You know the other guy we’d arranged to meet, Alan? Well he was there. Piece of scum. But I think we’ve got a lead.’

Franny drew away from Alfie’s embrace. ‘About Mia?’

He shook his head, and spoke sadly. ‘No, not yet anyway, but I’m sure once we go and speak to this woman, we can get some proper answers.’

Breaking down, something she hated to do in front of Alfie, Franny sobbed. ‘Where is she, Alf? Where’s she gone? I’m so scared I’ll never see her again … I mean, my friend’s scared she’ll never see her baby again, and of course, I feel responsible.’

‘Maybe I should meet this friend of yours. Speak to her, let her know that we’re doing all that we can. Perhaps she has some ideas herself. Maybe it would take the strain off you if I did.’

Alarmed, Franny shot down the suggestion quickly and firmly. ‘No!’ She took a breath and, composing herself, lowered her voice. ‘No, thank you, but no. Like I’ve said before, it’s hard enough already for her. We’ll sort it ourselves. It’ll just make it worse for her.’

Although Alfie wasn’t sure why, a strange feeling came over him again, which he couldn’t quite understand. It wasn’t doubt, it wasn’t suspicion, but something just didn’t feel right. Then as he had done so many times lately, he pushed it away to the back of his mind, then he smiled warmly and noticing Franny standing shivering, he spoke gently.