‘If someone else is involved and he’s being held for some reason, with his friend, please let them go. And, Rave, your daddy is sorry he couldn’t be here. He’s in hospital but he’s fine, he’ll be OK. He loves you. He wants ya home. I love you too. I’ve known you since before you could walk. You’ve been my son’s best friend his entire life, together through thick and thin. We love you, Rave. The Beans want ya home. Do you hear me, lovey? Come home. If there is anyone out there who can help us, please, just do it. Help us. Thank you.’

Tom handed Maisie a tissue. She blew her nose and looked to the side of the stage, where Fred was waiting for Tom to give him the nod. As soon as he did, Fred walked on stage and whisked Maisie away. Tom turned to the press. ‘Any questions?’

The room erupted.

When Maisie hit the school corridor, she bumped into Principal Young. She felt embarrassed: her make-up was ruined and she was clinging to Fred for dear life. The statement had opened a wound that needed time to close. She wasn’t ready to face the world yet.

Principal Young stopped and put her hand out to shake Maisie’s. ‘Jeremy is lucky to have you, as is Rave.’

That’s the first time she hasn’t given out to me. Maisie shook her hand in a blur and walked on. They were almost at the classroom door when Danny emerged into the corridor, closely followed by his parents and a guard in uniform. ‘So I don’t get to say my piece?’ he said to Fred and Maisie. He pointed to the guard. ‘This man says it’s over.’

‘It is.’ Maisie exhaled long and deep. She was too drained to deal with Danny.

‘He’s my son.’

Fred stepped closer to him. ‘And we’ve decided that it’s better for him if it’s just his mother who makes the appeal.’

‘And who is “we”?’ Danny said, squaring off and acting the brave man in the spotlight.

‘Calm down, Daniel,’ his father said.

‘We want him home, Danny. He sees you and he’s gone.’ Maisie was aware that Valerie was only a door away.

‘Because of the poison you put in his ear all these years,’ he spat.

‘No. Because you beat me half to death, and when he tried to stop you, you broke his arm,’ she said quietly. She didn’t want Valerie meeting him when he was riled. Tom said he’d be managed. This isn’t managed.

‘That was a fuckin’ accident and you know it. I never meant to hurt my boy.’

She knew he was telling the truth. She could see that it still hurt him.