‘He couldn’t even apologise! So this is how I’m getting back at him. I want the whole world to know what he did. To understand what Mum had to suffer through in silence. And I want you, Dad, to leave Limestone Creek. Get out of his house, get far away from Butch, and get a job somewhere else. I’m going to stay away for a year – yeah, I’m dedicated now to a full year – and then I’ll come find you: I’ll send a postcard to the Limestone Creek Police Station for you, with the time and place to meet me. I’m planning on being near Port Douglas, so, if you want to make things easier for both of us . . . find a house up there! Find a job. Start a new life. Get away from Butch, and weed, and Limestone Creek.

‘This is the most important thing I’ll ever do: we have to try and make a difference, while we have Madison’s channel. Don’t worry about a thing – I’ll see you in six more months, I promise: one year to the day since we disappeared. If it helps, just imagine me sitting on a tropical beach!’ She winked. In the video, Murphy’s voice came from the other side of Jasmine’s bedroom door. ‘I’m just making an Instagram story, Dad! I’ll be out in a sec. Love you!’ She looked down at the camera, winked again, then kissed the lens.

The video ended.

Everyone looked at Murphy. A suite of emotions played out on his face, pain and hope and anger and sorrow. To see his daughter so optimistic, so full of the belief it was all going to work out exactly as she’d planned, to have her lay it all out so honestly . . . Con couldn’t imagine the pain in Murphy’s heart right then.

Finally, Gabriella said, ‘And yet, something went wrong.’

‘Don’t say that,’ growled Murphy.

‘Madison is to blame,’ said Eliza.

‘We’ll talk to Madison. Tomorrow,’ said Con firmly. ‘Right now, we all need to sleep as much as we can. It’s the middle of the night, and we need to be thinking clearly tomorrow.’ He looked at his watch. ‘Today.’

‘Alright. Eliza, you can stay in my room if you want,’ said Gabriella.

But Eliza was now paying attention to Murphy. He was still looking at the last frame of Jasmine’s video on the computer screen.

‘Don’t worry about him: he can stay here. I’ll sleep on the floor,’ said Con. He moved to the wardrobe and pulled out the spare pillows and blankets.

‘We’ll see you boys soon, then. We’ll be back here at nine sharp,’ said Gabriella, and she and Eliza left the room.

Murphy wordlessly took the pillows and blankets out of Con’s hands, spreading them out on the floor. He climbed under the covers.