‘No, which is why I’m ringing – we need to get some money together. The police suggest we go along with the kidnappers’ demands, but they only want cash. Could you go to the bank and ask to withdraw as much as they’ll let you have? If you have to tell them what it’s for then do. I don’t care about people knowing; it’s going to be on the local news tonight.’

‘No problem. I’ll get straight on with it. If I need your signature can I come round to the house?’

‘Of course, whatever it takes.’

‘And... I, er, have a little nest egg tucked away in a building society account. Just a few thousand, but if it helps, you can have it.’ Kathy sounded almost embarrassed to be talking about the ransom money but then, Martha thought, it wasn’t an everyday occurrence.

‘Oh, Kathy, bless you. You’re so generous, but I’m still hoping we can raise it from other sources.’

‘The offer’s there if you need it. I’ll head off to the bank and call you when I know what can be done.’ Kathy rang off and Martha looked at the phone in her hand, and as fat tears again slid down her cheeks, she vowed never to take her PA for granted again. The ‘other sources’ she’d referred to troubled Martha. Hopefully, Richard’s parents would lend them some money if they could, but she didn’t know how much. William and Thelma lived a modest life – by choice or because their income was limited, Martha had no idea.

Although not a religious person, Martha found herself offering a silent prayer that they could raise the money between them. Having never been a sentimental woman, her grief and fear focussed her mind on what was clearly the best thing in her life, Danny.

His smiling face looked up at Martha from the photograph on her desk. Picking it up, she traced her finger over the contours of her son’s face. It was a summer photograph and the freckles Danny hated peppered the bridge of his nose. She kissed the image of her son, tears welling up as she looked at his likeness. Martha was not generally given to bouts of nostalgia, yet in a rare moment she allowed her thoughts to drift back nearly twelve years earlier to the day Danny was born.