Eventually, Radford spoke again. ‘You can see my predicament here, Mr Stone. If you’ve been lying to us about your work in London and lying to your wife, then how can we believe anything you say?’

27

DAY 4

Martha was aware of Richard talking to the police downstairs and purposefully stayed upstairs. She was confused – angry one moment and weepy the next. Opening her wardrobe door, she saw the presents they’d wrapped for Danny’s birthday. There was a new laptop computer – he had one they’d bought him two years earlier but it was bulky and outdated. He needed a new one to keep up with his school work. Most of his homework involved a degree of research that the internet made so easy.

They’d also bought him a computer game he’d wanted for a while and as Martha picked up the parcel, her tears flowed again. Will there be other birthdays? They’d planned surprises for him too. She knew Danny would love a trip to London at half term with an overnight stay and a visit to the Planetarium and they’d bought tickets to see The Lion King, but would they ever be able to use them?

The front door closed rather loudly, signalling the departure of the police. Martha was glad they hadn’t asked to see her. Although confident they were doing all they could, she didn’t understand why they repeatedly asked the same questions. Did they hope for a different answer, to catch them out in a lie perhaps?

Martha listened to the ensuing silence, waiting to see what her husband would do next. The sound of footsteps on the stairs told her Richard was coming up, but thankfully he went into his study and didn’t seek her out.

The doorbell rang again. Martha remained at her desk, assuming it was the police returning with a question they’d forgotten to ask, but Richard made no move to answer it. It rang for a second time and Suni called up the stairs asking if they wanted her to answer it. Martha said she was coming and wearily took herself downstairs to see who was there.

‘Mother! What are you doing here?’ Her mother was the last person she expected to see on her doorstep.

‘Can’t I come in? It’s been a long journey,’ Elaine Perry asked.

Martha stepped aside to allow her mother in and noted her suitcase. ‘I only spoke to you on the phone this morning. Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?’

‘I didn’t tell you because I knew you’d try to persuade me not to.’ She was right.

‘Has he been found yet?’ Elaine asked.

‘No, not yet.’ Martha hung her head, feeling responsible for not having better news. Her mother’s presence often made her feel that way.