‘Nobody can hear you here, you’re miles from anywhere. The only person who’s going to hear you scream is me, and if I do, I’m going to come down – and one of you will suffer, is that clear?’ His top lip curled in a snarl. ‘Yes, Jerry!’

‘Yes, Jerry,’ they chorused.

‘You live here now,’ he told them. ‘You’ll sleep down here, there are blankets, I’ll bring a bucket so you can do your business. You’ll have water, food.’

‘I’m hungry,’ wailed Lydia.

‘Shut up!’ Jerry jabbed the knife.

Karin saw Simon lying flat on the floor, his face pressed against the concrete, his eyes shut. To her astonishment, she heard Becky’s soft voice.

‘May I speak, please?’ Jerry stepped back, and she said quickly, ‘We’re not going to say anything to anyone, Jerry. We haven’t seen anything and we think we should go now… We won’t say a thing!’

Jerry took out a handkerchief and dabbed at his forehead.

‘We won’t tell.’ Becky’s voice was soft and persuasive and Karin knew that if anyone could convince him, it was her friend. ‘You have my word. Do it for me, Jerry. Please, Jerry.’

Jerry blinked. ‘Do it for you?’

And then he lunged, lifting the knife above his head and stabbing it down at her. Everybody screamed, certain Becky was about to die and they would be next, until Karin saw the blade crunch into the wall above her head, heard the clink as pieces of brick and mortar rained down on them.

‘This is what I’ll do for you. This is what you’re going to get! This! Is! What!’ He stabbed and yelled, ‘You’ll get!’

Nobody dared to open their eyes until they heard the door slam and the lock click, and were sure Jerry was gone. And then they all lay huddled together, weeping.

20

Jim Haskell opened his front door to Sasha Dawson and Craig Power looking very jolly and relaxed in a summery shirt, which billowed over a bulbous belly, long flowery shorts and yellow flip-flops. He held a pitcher of Pimm’s, which was crammed with fruit and ice.

‘I don’t usually answer the door with a big jug of alcohol in my hand, so count yourselves lucky!’ If he was at all fazed by the sight of two police officers on his doorstep, he didn’t show it. ‘Come in! Come in!’

‘Who is it?’ called a woman from the garden, where Sasha glimpsed a paddling pool, heard children’s squeals and splashes.

‘Marco!’ shouted one kid.

‘Polo!’ shouted the others.

‘It’s no one, luv.’ Jim’s voice boomed down the hallway and he opened the living room door to guide them in. ‘Won’t be long, save me some of those hot dogs, yeah?’