‘No. They’re worried, obviously. About their mum. I’m trying to keep things as light as possible, though.’

‘That’s a good idea. I think I’m ready to talk to them now.’

‘I love them,’ he said. ‘Please remember that.’

Rory put her hand on his. ‘I will,’ she said. ‘I know this is a terribly difficult time, Mr Westbrook, but they’re lucky to have you.’

Matt listened as she questioned the children.

She had a clear method. She started each interview by introducing herself, and telling the child she was interviewing who she was and where she was from, then asked if they had heard of Australia.

Norman had. He asked why she was here.

‘Because I fell in love,’ Rory said, with a warm and genuine smile. He could see why she was good at this job.

‘Who with?’ Norman said.

‘A guy called Frank.’

‘Is he from Australia?’

‘No. He’s from here.’

‘Is he nice?’

‘He is. Now, I heard you had quite an experience. Would you be able to tell me what happened?’

‘Yes,’ said Norman. ‘After Dad went to the shop, we were sitting in the car. A man got in. He told us, “Don’t worry, your dad sent me.”’

‘What did he sound like?’ Rory said.

‘I don’t know.’

‘Was his voice high, like this’ – she spoke in a high-pitched voice – ‘or lower, like your dad?’

‘High. I think.’

Rory glanced at Wynne. ‘Was it a woman’s voice? Or a man’s?’

‘A man,’ Norman said. ‘I think.’

‘Good.’ Rory said. ‘Did the man have an accent?’

‘Not really,’ Norman said. ‘Just sounded normal.’

‘OK. So after he got in the car, then what?’

‘He drove us somewhere, then gave us Coke. Mum and Dad don’t normally let us have that. And then we fell asleep.’

‘And when you woke up?’

‘We were in a metal room. I think it was maybe a van.’

Wynne handed Rory a piece of paper. Rory showed it to Norman. It was the photo of him and Keith watching something on an iPad, while Molly slept beside them.

‘Do you remember this?’

‘Yes. He gave us more Coke and we fell asleep in there. The next time we woke up, we were on the way to the forest. Then Dad came.’

‘Did you see the man’s face?’

‘No,’ Norman said. ‘He always wore a hood.’

‘Thank you,’ Rory said. ‘I think those are all my questions. For now.’

‘Did I help?’ Norman said.

‘Heaps,’ Rory said. ‘You helped heaps.’

It was the same with Keith and Molly. Afterwards, DI Wynne, Rory and Matt sat in the living room.

‘What did you think?’ Matt said.