Valerie spoke through the letterbox once more to warn the child of what would happen. ‘There are two policemen with me and they’re going to open the door so we can come in, okay? Can you hear me, sweetheart? It might be noisy so stand well back and we’ll be with you in a minute.’

A minute was all it took to force the flimsy lock, allowing the police to enter the house. Valerie and Helen were close behind, aware that the police needed to perform an on-the-spot risk assessment but anxious for the child who must be frightened by their presence. The first officer flicked a light switch in the lobby but nothing happened.

‘No money in the meter, I should think.’ He produced a torch from his jacket while his colleague went back to the car to switch on the headlights and turn the vehicle around to face the house.

A tiny lobby housed a staircase, a door to the right, presumably the living room, and a door facing, which probably led to a kitchen. As Helen’s eyes took in the layout of the rooms her nostrils were filled with a sickening smell which nearly caused her to retch. Valerie glanced over her shoulder and smiled wryly at the younger girl. ‘You’ll get used to it. Dirty nappies.’

The police officer opened the first door, where the sparsely furnished small square room was flooded with light from the car headlights. Two small children huddled in a corner like frightened animals, blinking against the blinding light. The officer swept the room with his eyes before giving Valerie the okay to approach the children. A girl of no more than four or five shielded a younger boy, both of them squeezing their thin little bodies as far as they could into the corner, as if the walls could offer them protection. Helen gasped at the sight but a look from her colleague warned her to keep her emotions in check.

Valerie slowly squatted in front of the children, not too close. ‘Hello. I’m Valerie and this is my friend, Helen. What’s your name?’

The little girl eyed her suspiciously then whispered, ‘Joanne’. The boy was silent but Valerie continued smiling and asked where their mother was. No answer. The little boy started to cry. His sister gripped him even tighter, her wide blue eyes full of suspicion and fear.