Martha wondered if Danny knew how much she loved him. Unable to remember the last time she’d told him, Martha wished he was there so she could do so now. There was an ache in her chest as if her heart was being wrung out, and regrets flooded her mind. Both she and Richard praised Danny for his achievements, but did they show unconditional love? Did they perhaps give their son the impression that he needed to earn it?

Did Danny know he was her universe? Martha doubted it, because it was only dawning on her how precious he was. If she didn’t get Danny back, her life would be empty, work would be meaningless and her marriage was already showing huge cracks. If Martha did get him back, life would be different. She would become a ‘stay at home’ mum if Danny wanted. She’d bake cakes and become a member of the PTA. Anything. She’d do anything to get her baby boy back.

‘Please God,’ she whispered to the dark, empty sky, ‘let him be safe, let him come back to me.’

Martha decided to go up to bed after all, even if it was only for three or four hours. It would be an early start the next day for everyone involved. In the bedroom, Richard lay still, with his eyes closed. She couldn’t tell if he was asleep or simply avoiding having to talk to her; either way Martha didn’t care. She undressed and slipped quietly under the duvet beside her husband.

17

DAY 3

After a couple of hours in bed Richard was still not asleep. His mind refused to shut down to afford him the peace he needed to escape into oblivion. As Martha crawled in beside him, he remained still, not wanting to resume their earlier argument. His wife lay with her back towards him and after a while her breathing slowed as sleep claimed her.

Richard had also been soul-searching during those wakeful hours. The row with Martha was a severe one. Their relationship was generally amicable and he couldn’t remember her ever being so angry with him or anyone else. Martha was usually such a placid person. Perhaps though, there was good reason, although she didn’t know the full extent of how badly he’d let her down.

It was impossible for Richard to have anticipated needing such a large amount of cash without notice, but knowing he’d taken the money from their joint account made him burn with shame. He couldn’t imagine how he’d feel if Martha was the one to have been so duplicitous.