And remembering why he was in his son’s empty bedroom at four in the morning.

They were waiting for instructions from the person who had kidnapped his children, and who was demanding his wife as a ransom.

His wife, Annabelle.

Not money. Not a huge news story so they could make a political point.

Annabelle.

They wanted her to exchange herself for her children. And then what? What did they want to do with her? Kill her? Keep her in captivity? Was this someone who hated her and wanted revenge? Or a crazed fan who was obsessed with her?

Whoever it was, they must be insane. There was no way he and Annabelle would go along with this. It was ridiculous.

At least, that was his initial thought. But the more he thought about it, the harder it was to see any viable alternative. They could involve the police, but Annabelle had ruled that out. They could refuse, but then what would happen to the kids? Or they could do as the kidnapper asked – which was unthinkable.

Three alternatives, none of them acceptable.

And so, for now at least, there was nothing to do but wait. He stood and walked out of Norman’s room into his and Annabelle’s bedroom. He lay next to her and stared at the ceiling. It was going to be a long few hours.

Sunday, 8 March 2020, 6.03 a.m.

Annabelle

1

She was lying in bed next to Matt, neither of them able to sleep, when the next message came.

Again, a new phone number. Again a photo.

Annabelle stared at it, studying every detail.

In it, the children were lying under a blanket. Norman was holding an iPad and he and Keith were looking at the screen, their faces lit by the glow from the screen. Molly was asleep next to them. It was hard to see where they were; the wall behind them was not well lit, but it looked like it was metallic.

A van, then. Or a warehouse. Or something else. A shipping container.

Matt put his hand on her shoulder. ‘They’re alive,’ he said. ‘At least they’re alive.’

It was cold comfort. Before she could reply, the next message followed. She held the phone up so they could both read it.

As you can see from the photograph, your children are safe and unharmed. For now. If you wish to keep them that way, this is what you will do.

They waited, dots scrolling along the bottom of the screen.

At 5.30pm today, you and Annabelle will come to the location for the exchange. Details will be sent at 5pm, along with further instructions. I will be monitoring the surrounding area and if there are signs of anyone else, the exchange will be cancelled and your children will be gone for ever. There will be no second opportunity.

The dots scrolled again.