It was only after the purchase was complete that it became clear to Richard that Serena was a mistake, a huge and expensive mistake. He grew tired of her fawning over him and suspicious that he’d been manipulated, which made him feel even worse. Serena no longer seemed the woman he thought she was and at times appeared selfish, superficial and always very high maintenance. He quickly concluded he’d been a bloody fool who’d risked his whole way of life – his wife and son – for the passing thrill of an illicit affair.

Richard’s life was a mess; he despised his weakness and the consequences it rained upon him, and now upon his family. If they lost Danny, he would never forgive himself. Richard knew he had to make sure the handover would be successful in just a few hours. If things went wrong in the morning, it would be entirely his fault and the very thought of losing Danny made him loathe himself and what he’d become.

Richard screwed up his eyes in an attempt to sleep, but images of his son calling out to him filled his head. He was the boy’s father, the very person who should be protecting him but he was a miserable failure. Perhaps he didn’t deserve his son or his wife, yet he knew if he lost them both life would no longer be worth living.

18

DAY 3

‘They’re getting the money tomorrow.’ Lewis almost whispered. Danny looked expectantly at the other boy.

‘So they’ll take me home? If they get the money they’ll let me go, won’t they?’ A shrug was the discouraging response. ‘Lewis, you’re scaring me. What is it? What do you know about tomorrow?’

‘You’ve gotta stay here until they get the money. Mum and I have to watch you until they come back.’

‘But will they let me go then?’ Danny was close to tears again as fear washed over him and his body trembled involuntarily. Then, in a strange act of comfort, Lewis put his arm around Danny’s shoulders and held him while he cried. Danny thought Lewis cried a little too but after a while they each sniffed and made an attempt to pull themselves together.

‘Have they both gone?’ Danny asked, and when Lewis confirmed as much with a brief nod, ‘Can I go and talk to your mum again?’ It was worth another attempt at persuading her to let him go. Time was running out. Lewis stood and made to go downstairs, so Danny followed.