That morning, Maisie woke from a fitful sleep at 6.05 a.m. Her neck was stiff, her back hurt, and even through the fog, she acknowledged a hint of a headache. When she opened her eyes and realized she was sitting at the kitchen table, she shot to her feet. Jeremy. She limped to his room, straightening herself and gathering pace with each step she took. It was empty. She stood there, looking at his pristine bed, exactly as it had been in the middle of the night. This is all wrong. Her heart hammered and her hands shook. She stood up and, although she felt like she was walking through treacle, she walked down the hall until she reached Valerie’s room. She opened the door and leaned on the frame to steady her jellied legs.

Valerie was stretched out like a cat under a hot sun. My son should be in his bed. Maisie’s chest constricted and she had to work hard to breathe normally. Her old friend Dread was unfurling inside her with every step she took. She dropped heavily on to Valerie’s bed but Valerie just groaned and turned over so that Maisie was facing her back. ‘Valerie,’ she whispered, and rested her hand on her daughter’s shoulder. ‘Valerie.’ She shook her gently. Something’s very wrong. She knew it in her heart. She knew it in her soul. ‘Valerie!’ she shouted, crying now.

Valerie opened her eyes. ‘What’s wrong?’

‘Valerie, promise to tell me the truth, OK?’

Usually Valerie would point out how incredibly unfair and mentally scarring it was that her mother felt the need to solicit sworn testimony from her before asking a stupid question. She’d never do that to Jeremy. But this morning was different. Something terrible was happening: she didn’t know what it was but it scared her.

‘Did Jeremy come home for his dinner last night?’

Valerie shook her head.

Maisie was almost afraid to ask her next question because she knew the answer. ‘Was he in school yesterday?’

Valerie gulped and shook her head.

Maisie let out something between a moan and a groan. ‘When did you see him last?’ Her voice was shaking.

‘Sunday night,’ Valerie said, tears welling in her eyes.

Maisie’s heart froze. She took a huge breath, then exhaled in a stuttery way.

‘Ma’sie?’

No one has seen him since the night before last. Oh, God. Maisie was up and walking across Valerie’s room. Her hand was on the door when Valerie’s raspy voice stopped her. ‘Where’s Jeremy?’