‘That would be lovely. What would you like to sing first?’

It was nice singing with the lady. She knew all the songs I knew, but I didn’t know very many. Mama didn’t normally sing with me, which is why I always sang with Teddy. Mama said it made her head hurt, so I had to sing quietly. But Sheila (that was the lady’s name, she told me) said I should sing nice and loud to keep my spirits up (I didn’t know what that meant but thought it sounded fun) so I did. It was nice to sing loud but it felt naughty too. Sheila had propped the letterbox open so that we could hear each other better. I liked Sheila. I didn’t often meet new people. Usually it was just me and Mama, and most of the time Mama was too tired or not feeling well enough to play, so it was just me and Teddy.

There were two green bottles left hanging on the wall and I was singing as loud as I could when there was a lot of noise outside and Sheila stopped singing. ‘Ah. We’ll have to stop singing for now, poppet,’ Sheila said. ‘The police are here. I’m going to stay right here and wait for you so I can say hello once you’re out, but they’re going to talk to you now, OK? There’s nothing to be scared of and you’re not in any trouble. You’re being a really brave girl and I’ve enjoyed singing with you. Perhaps we can do some more singing another time?’

‘Yes, please,’ I said.

‘Hello?’ said a voice, another lady. ‘My name’s Anna. I’m a social worker, here to make sure you’re safe. Are you OK at the moment? You’re not hurt? And there’s no one in there with you?’

‘My tummy hurts, I’m hungry and Mama’s not here,’ I said.

‘OK. We’re going to get you something to eat very soon. Now what I want you to do is go and stand by the window in the next room – I think it might be your living room – where we can see you. Sheila is standing outside it, so you can wave to her through the window. Can you do that for me? Once you’re there, there’ll be a big bang as the police are going to have to break the door so we can get you out, get you something to eat, and help you find your mummy.’

‘But Mama will be cross if you break the door.’

‘Don’t worry about that, we will fix it. Now, will you go to the window? I’m going there too so you can wave to me and Sheila. Does that sound OK?’

I nodded.

‘Are you there, my darling? Is that OK?’