Going over to the other side of the room, Franny flicked open the lighter and stared at the flame, pausing just for a moment before she touched one of the couches with it. Directly, it set on fire; the material and the petrol a combustible mix.

A sudden rush of panic coursed through her. What was she doing? What the hell was she doing? But as she went to try to fan out the flames, she abruptly stopped and thought about Bree again. She thought about Alfie, and of Mia, and she realised there was no going back. This was her chance to get away, to go through with the plan. To take Mia to a place of safety. If she didn’t do this and she let her emotions get the better of her, then everything would’ve been for nothing. Bree’s death would’ve been for nothing.

With that thought in her mind, Franny jumped back into action. Dousing the rest of the furniture and with the fire now well underway, she picked up the can, running back into the main room, throwing the last of the petrol over the velvet chairs in the corner and the electricity box, seeing it spark with flames before she hurled the entire can into the fire.

She turned to run, shutting the door behind her, making her way as quickly as she could out of the club and up the stairs.

‘Franny, what’s going on?’ Alfie stood at the top of the basement stairs, looking down at her from the road. She couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t think straight. Oh God.

She glanced behind her and breathlessly said, ‘Alfie. You’re here.’

He looked at her oddly. ‘Are you all right?’

She walked towards him, her eyes full of emotion as the fear and panic bubbled below her falsely calm exterior. ‘Alfie. Alfie.’

‘Has something happened? Vaughn called me – it sounded urgent. Franny, what’s going on?’

‘Alfie, listen to me, I should’ve told you. I know I should but then Vaughn …’ She trailed off not knowing what to say.

Alfie rubbed his head as Franny walked up to where he was standing. He felt terrible, his head was pounding so any drama was the last thing he needed, but he spoke quietly, worried about Franny. ‘You’re not making any sense, babe. What about Vaughn? All this shit has to stop between you two.’

‘I can only …’ Horror suddenly crossed Franny’s face. Fear filled her eyes as she stared at her car. The doors were open. She hadn’t left them like that but now they were wide open. She ran around to the passenger seat and let out a scream, loud and full of pain. ‘Mia! Mia! Where’s Mia?’

She turned to stare at Alfie, desperate, and beginning to shake. ‘Where is she, Alfie? Did you take her? Did you?’