‘It must be fastened to the wall,’ Lewis said. He then wrapped his arms in the blanket and knocked out the shards of glass which still clung to the door frame. The boys repeated the action, ramming the door again but again the wire mesh remained intact.

Danny rubbed his aching shoulder. ‘I thought it might be like chicken wire but it’s much stronger. What shall we do now?’

Sally was suddenly behind them, woken by the noise of shattering glass. ‘What the hell’s going on?’

‘Mum! What does it look like? We’re trying to get out of here before Pete gets back.’

‘Don’t be stupid – he’ll kill us if he sees this.’ Sally’s voice trembled.

‘He’ll probably kill us anyway. Danny’s seen him, Mum. He’s not going to let him go now, is he? And I don’t want to be involved in a murder!’ Lewis stared at his mother, his teeth clenched. ‘Don’t you see? Pete’s just using us and you’re letting him. Well, I’m getting outta here with Dan so you can decide whether to help us or not. I’m going whatever happens – you need to choose – me or Pete?’

Sally looked stunned as if her son had physically struck her. Pale and confused, she was clearly still suffering from the effects of the alcohol she’d drunk the night before.

‘Don’t go, Lewis, I need you,’ she pleaded.

‘And I need you, Mum, but I’m going. I don’t want to be involved in this anymore.’ He turned his attention back to the door and took hold of one leg of the stool, and he and Danny rammed it again into the metal. The wire still didn’t move so they counted to three and swung at it again. There was a slight movement as the wire gave a fraction.

‘Again, Dan, we’re almost there!’

‘Don’t, please.’ Sally grabbed her son. ‘I’ve got a key. We can use that...’

‘You told me you didn’t have a key and the front door was bolted from the outside!’ Lewis’s eyes widened, his jaw slack.

‘I know, I didn’t want you to try to get out and I knew you’d tell him if there was a key.’ She looked towards Danny who felt awkward, like a spectator, caught up in this family argument.

‘Give me it, Mum,’ Lewis demanded. Sally turned to go back into the lounge, reached up to the mantelshelf and retrieved a key.

‘I can’t believe you’ve had this all the time when I’ve been begging you to let Dan go.’

‘I’m sorry, really, but I knew Pete’d go mad if you helped him escape.’ Tears were silently running down Sally’s face.

Her son looked at her and reached out his hand. ‘Come with us, Mum, please?’

Sally wiped her nose on her sleeve and nodded.