‘Which is why…’ – Michelle spoke slowly so all the reporters could write down every word – ‘I’m offering a reward to anybody who comes forward with information leading to Sammi’s safe return.’

‘Let’s get you next door,’ Sasha said to the Mannings, and was about to lead them away when Jessica screamed across the room at Michelle.

‘Leave us alone!’ The reporters turned to stare. ‘Why don’t you get out of our lives? She’s my baby, not yours, she’s mine!’

Michelle turned crimson. The phones and tablets moved back and forth between the two women, greedily capturing the confrontation. And then Jessica pushed along the table past Sasha, followed quickly by her husband.

Sasha gestured to Ajay to bring Michelle next door when she was finished giving her own chaotic press conference, and when she walked into the adjoining room, she found Jessica slumped, inconsolable, in a chair, Alan trying to placate her.

‘I’m sorry about that.’ Sasha was ashamed. ‘We should never have allowed her to be here.’

A minute later, Michelle came in with Ajay and Lolly.

‘I want her out!’ Jessica stood. ‘I want her gone!’

Michelle held her head high. ‘I just want to help find Sammi.’

Jessica went to her. Sasha and her officers tensed; the last thing they needed was a physical confrontation. ‘You can’t bear it, can you? You can’t bear the fact that she’s ours. If you had any dignity you would go away and leave us alone.’

‘Jessica, please…’ pleaded Alan. ‘She means well.’

‘If she wants the best for Sammi, she should just leave us alone. All these years later and she’s still hanging around like a bad smell. Buying Sammi’s love, taking her shopping for things she knows full well we can’t afford to buy her.’ Jessica’s face twisted with fury. ‘You have no shame.’

‘I’ve only ever wanted to help you,’ said Michelle.

‘We don’t need your help, we’ve never needed your help. Let’s not pretend you’re doing this for Sammi – this is all about what you want. When Sammi comes home, when our little girl comes back – and she will, I’m sure of it – I forbid you to see her. Alan is mine, Sammi is mine.’

Michelle looked at Alan for support, and he said timidly, ‘Thank you for everything, Michelle, it’s not that we don’t appreciate it—’

‘Oh, stop being so weak,’ spat his wife. ‘Stop indulging her!’

‘—but we think it’s best if you stay away from now on.’

Alan reached for Jessica’s hand – and she took it.

‘We’re going home,’ Jessica told Sasha.

‘DC Chambers will make sure you get a car.’

Jessica walked to the door, but then retraced her steps to Michelle. ‘Why my little girl? That’s what I want to know, why was she taken?’