When Martha was old enough to understand the nuances of her parents’ relationship, she longed to get away to university. As her daughter was thinking of escape, Elaine once again planned to leave Owen but was spared the unpleasantness of a divorce when Owen collapsed and died during Martha’s first term at university.

Elaine had been content to live alone since her husband’s death. She regretted having put Owen’s demands before Martha’s needs – the consequence of which was a cool relationship between the women, with little genuine affection.

It was too late for regrets now and Elaine’s primary concern was her grandson, whom she loved wholeheartedly. When Martha moved to Bristol to marry Richard, Elaine knew it would be difficult to build a good relationship with any grandchildren. But she was able to grow close to Danny as his parents regularly sent him to stay with her in school holidays when they were busy with their careers.

Elaine loved the opportunity to spoil Danny and the two delighted in each other’s company. Danny chose the venues for their frequent trips out and where they ate – generally at McDonald’s, a forbidden venue at home.

Elaine’s mantra was, What goes on at Grandma’s stays at Grandma’s. She hoped and prayed those days were not over – she would willingly give her own life if it would save her grandson.

As she watched her daughter sleep, Elaine’s heart was heavy with the burden of uncertainty, of not knowing what would happen to Danny. The following two days were going to be the most harrowing ones of her life, and she hardly dared to speculate on the outcome of this distressing time.

29

DAY 4

Things were going badly for Richard Stone. The police were asking some very awkward questions and he was deceiving them. Not for the first time he wondered whether to admit to still having the kidnappers’ mobile phone. He’d even thought about confiding in Martha, two heads and all that, but now his mother-in-law had turned up – as if he didn’t have enough on his plate. As for the police, DI Radford had discovered he didn’t do pro bono work in London so Richard could no longer fudge the issue.

He was certain the detective would have guessed why he’d lied, and he’d have to come clean about where he spent his time and ask them not to tell Martha. Yet before he did this he needed to talk to Serena, to warn her and ask her to vouch for him – discreetly of course. Richard thought it preposterous that the police should examine every detail of his life as if he was the kidnapper. It was an intrusion into his privacy. They must know he had nothing to do with it, but he was at their mercy and unsure whether they would keep his affair quiet or feel obliged to tell Martha.