‘With a bit of luck the publicity will flush them out. They must be somewhere between Portishead and Bristol and although we’re assuming and can’t be a hundred per cent sure, they’ll probably try to leave the area sometime today. You’ve done a great job so far and we’re almost there. When it’s over, I’ll stand you all a drink in The King’s Arms.’

Alex smiled and there were a few grins and laughter in the room. The boss wasn’t known for his generosity and rarely went to the local with his team. ‘We’re close, so let’s be vigilant and catch these kidnappers before they can strike again.’ A murmur of excitement rippled around the room as it always did when a case was coming together. Each team member was wholly focussed and determined to find the kidnappers as soon as they tried to make a run for it.

55

DAY 7

At 2am, Danny screamed. Martha jolted awake and was immediately on her feet cradling her son’s head and whispering soothing words. ‘Shh, it’s okay, it’s all over now and you’re safe.’

Her eyes filled with tears as Danny sobbed, his head tucked into the space between her neck and shoulder, a place of comfort and safety. ‘It’s only a dream, I’m here and you’re safe now.’ Martha tried desperately to comfort her son who clung tightly to her, his whole body trembling.

As yet Martha didn’t know many details of her son’s ordeal; she hadn’t wanted to press him, simply reassure him of his safety. DI Radford had told them very little so far, only that Danny had been kept at an abandoned farmhouse with the boy Lewis and his mother.

From what Danny told Suni earlier, Martha gleaned a little more information and was surprised at her son’s attachment to the other boy. Perhaps she’d never learn all the details of his experience but her desire to know came second to her son’s well-being – she would never press him to relive what he’d suffered if he didn’t want to.

Within minutes Danny’s breathing slowed and he was asleep again. Martha climbed beside him on the bed and wrapped her own body around his, holding him tightly until she too fell asleep.

The hospital day started early. By 6am, trollies rattled in the corridor and nurses came to monitor their charges before handing over to the next shift. Martha woke at the sound of the first movements. Danny slept on for another hour until it was his turn to be examined.