Tom was waiting there. He sat her on the chair to the left of him. There was a minute or two of sound and light checking and then, with a nod from a stranger, they were ready to go.

He had briefed her earlier on what to say. He wanted her to keep it short and sweet and to stick to the programme. We miss you. We love you. You’re not in trouble. Come home. She’d got it. She knew what to do, but when the lights beamed down on her and Tom started talking she forgot everything.

He spoke, and it was as though she was listening through a wall. She could hear him but his voice seemed muffled and she couldn’t quite make out what he was saying until he looked at her.

‘Maisie?’

‘Yes?’

‘It’s time to make your statement.’

‘OK.’ She looked out into the packed room at the lights and the crowd. Her throat felt like it was swelling, her eyes burned, her guts blazed. She coughed in an attempt to clear her airway. She sipped from her glass of water to try to unstick her lips and loosen her tongue from the roof of her mouth.

‘Ah, my name is Maisie Bean. I’m Jeremy Bean’s mother. I love him.’ Let’s get that right off the bat. ‘He and my daughter Valerie are the loves of my life. I want him home and safe, and I want him to know he’s not in trouble.’ What am I talking around him for? Look down the lens, Maisie, talk to your son. ‘You’re not in trouble, son. I don’t know why ya left and I don’t care. Whatever it is, we can deal with it together. Your grammy’s here. She’s in the back with Valerie and she misses ya, love. She keeps looking for you behind the sofa, under the table – she’s even mentioned the attic a few times.’

Maisie laughed softly, then refocused and allowed the audience just the tiniest glimpse of her pain. ‘She’s desperate to see you, Jeremy. We all are. Valerie’s here too, love. I said that, though, didn’t I? Please, son, it’s time to come home now. OK?’ She was emotional but holding it together. Don’t let them see you cry, Maisie. She looked at Tom, who nodded to her and redirected her to the words on a small screen in front of her.