The noise of the van arriving outside gave Danny something else to focus upon as cold fear once again gripped him and he felt as if there was a huge throbbing lump in his chest. The front door banged and he heard angry voices shouting words he couldn’t distinguish. Soon, footsteps sounded on the stairs – more than one person’s, which was worrying.

At the sound of the bolts being pulled back, Danny was on the verge of tears but it was Lewis who came into the room and closed the door so the man behind him couldn’t be seen. Lewis put his fingers to his lips, warning Danny not to speak, and then barked instructions in an exaggerated hard voice.

‘Put this over your head and don’t try to take it off – or y’ll be sorry.’ Danny understood and pulled the hood over his head. It smelled of grease and rubber, like the inside of the van. He wondered if he was going to be taken back in the van, to go home perhaps. He heard Lewis open the door and a man entered.

‘Right, kid. I’m going to let you speak to your parents but don’t take the hood off and only tell them you’re okay. If you try to be clever you’ll regret it.’

The next thing Danny knew, a mobile phone was pushed under the hood against his ear and he heard his father’s voice calling his name on the other end of the line.

‘Dad, Mum, they said I have to tell you I’m okay, but–’ The phone was roughly pulled away from his ear and Danny sobbed. He’d spoken to his father and the distance between them seemed almost impossible to breach, leaving Danny desolate and more depressed than ever. Would he ever see his parents again?

The door closed, the bolts engaged. When he was sure no one was in the room with him, Danny removed the hood and threw it in the corner – sitting alone on the stinking mattress, he gave way to heaving sobs, no longer able to feel in the least bit brave.

His parents at least knew he was still alive – did this mean his ordeal was nearly over? Had his mum and dad made a deal with the kidnappers and if so, when would they let him go? His hope was fading and subconsciously, he changed the question in his mind from when to if.