His feet slipped on the wet grass, but the grass was long and he was able to grab handfuls to steady him and pull himself upwards. Danny stumbled a few times, but refused to allow himself to slide right back to the bottom. His tenacity paid off and eventually, tired and soaked through, Danny reached the top and clung onto the metal railings, breathing hard.

The road was fairly quiet with only a few cars driving both ways, and the railing wasn’t much above three feet high so didn’t present too much of a problem. With a last surge of effort, Danny climbed over the fence and dropped, exhausted, onto the grass verge at the side of the road.

Fiona and Tim Weeks were having a minor disagreement as to the quickest way to get to Horfield in Bristol. It was Saturday and their niece was getting married but Fiona’s map-reading skills were a little rusty and they were in danger of missing the church ceremony. At least the day was brightening up after the horrendous rain they’d endured during their journey, and so far their rather ancient Nissan was running smoothly which was not always the case.

Fiona gazed around, searching for a landmark she recognised from previous visits, or a signpost to direct them, while Tim focussed on the road ahead. Suddenly Fiona sat up straight in her seat, surprised to see a figure ahead, climbing over the fence onto the verge at the side of the road. As they drew closer, it became clear it was a child, a young boy.

‘Pull into the side, Tim,’ she instructed her husband.

‘Why, we’re already cutting it close?’

‘Just do it!’ Fiona almost shouted at him.

By then, they were past the boy but Fiona stepped out of the car and walked back towards the lonely figure. Tim slowly reversed the car and soon they were both near to the boy who appeared to be sobbing, wet and dirty, and out of breath.

Fiona approached him tentatively. ‘Are you all right?’ The boy was startled on seeing her and stood still, staring warily at her like a frightened puppy. Fiona smiled and moved a couple of steps closer. ‘Do you need any help?’ She spoke softly; the child was clearly in distress about something.

He nodded and as Fiona reached his side, it became apparent just how bedraggled he was. Appearing to have come out of the woodland beside the road, his clothes were soaked and covered in mud. Fiona’s first thought was that he’d got lost or separated from his parents yet as she glanced over the woodland, there was nothing to give her any clues.

‘What’s your name?’

‘Dan,’ he said. ‘Can you ring my mum for me?’

‘Come and sit in the car – it’s warmer than out here – and I’ll ring your mother.’

Danny hesitated as if afraid to take the few steps to their car.