‘There’ll be time for talking later. Let’s just enjoy having Danny back.’ She smiled at him. ‘It’s been hard for us all and I know I’ve said some things I shouldn’t have but we can talk later, okay?’

Richard still looked anxious but turned his attention back to Danny.

Martha tried to engage her son in conversation. ‘There are presents to open when you get home, and you can choose whatever you’d like to do for your belated birthday treat.’ The words seemed inane in the light of everything that had transpired, and there was no response from Danny. His mother could see he was tiring. ‘You can sleep if you want to, darling. I’ll be here when you wake.’ Martha stroked her son’s forehead and watched as the sedatives took effect and he drifted into a deep sleep.

‘It’s probably the best thing for him,’ Elaine said. His grandmother had been very emotional when they were reunited with Danny and now looked quite weary. ‘If it’s okay with you I’ll go back to the house now. I can get a taxi so you can both stay here.’

‘Thanks, Mum, you’ve been a great help. Richard will probably be home later but I’ll stay the night.’ Martha smiled at her mother and Elaine kissed her then left.

‘I hope she’s going to pack,’ Richard said almost under his breath.

‘Don’t be so mean; she’s been a comfort to me even if she hasn’t to you.’ Martha inclined her head towards Suni who was sitting in the corner of the room to remind her husband to be careful what he was saying.

‘You’re right, sorry.’ Richard then turned to Suni. ‘If we go for a coffee could you ring us if Danny wakes?’

Suni smiled. ‘Of course, no problem. A break will probably do you good.’

‘But we can bring a coffee in here,’ Martha protested.

‘Please, Martha, just come with me for a little while.’ Richard sounded quite anxious so she checked their son again to make sure he was still asleep and stood to follow her husband from the room.

‘What’s all this about?’ she asked. ‘We’ve only just got Danny back and you’re in a hurry to have a break from him? What’s going on?’ Martha was puzzled and a little irritated by Richard’s insistence. He steered her towards the visitors’ lounge at the end of the ward and once they were inside, closed the door and sat down on the little sofa, pulling Martha down beside him.

‘Richard, what is it?’

‘The police are looking at another line of enquiry.’ He appeared unable to look his wife in the eye. ‘There’s a woman they think might have been involved in the planning of the kidnapping–’

‘Is this the woman whose son died?’ Martha interrupted.

‘No, it’s someone else, someone I know.’