He was so entrenched in his thoughts that he hadn’t heard the car doors slamming. Matt Ballard and DC Bryn Owen were at the front door. His first thought was that something else had happened at Emilia Swain’s cottage. Until he saw their faces.

‘I met Bryn while I was on my way here,’ Matt said. ‘You need to listen to what he has to say.’

‘We’ve just had a call from a Captain Philip Fauve?’ Bryn said. ‘It seems his ward has gone missing.’

Will froze. ‘Sophie? Missing? I don’t understand. They’re in London, aren’t they? Has she got lost or something?’

‘No, sir. They’re staying at the Fenmoor Lodge. He said they changed their minds and drove up here this morning.’

‘Here?’ Will saw Matt flash him a concerned look.

‘Well,’ Bryn continued, ‘as I said, sir, it may be nothing — the youngster might have just gone off with some other kids or something — but due to the recent tragedy in her life and considering her age, we’re treating her as “at risk.” Apparently, they checked in earlier than expected, and went to the pool for a swim. They swam for a while, then Philip had a call from his base. He took it in the swimming complex reception area, only a few yards from the pool. Sophie said she’d go and get changed and meet him in the foyer, but she didn’t turn up. He had someone check the changing room, but Sophie had gone.’

‘Jesus! I have to go there!’ Will exclaimed.

‘Hang on, Will.’ Matt took his arm. ‘Have they searched the hotel?’

Bryn Owen nodded. ‘From the attic down, believe me. We need you to stay here, sir,’ he said to Will, ‘just in case she tries to get to you. You are her nearest relative in this country. She’s just arrived, so she can’t have made any friends yet, so that is what we think she might do.’

Will closed his eyes. A few moments ago, he had been worrying about how to tell Kate what he had arranged for her, now everything had been turned on its head by the disappearance of his young niece.

‘The hotel is only four miles from here,’ Bryn was saying, ‘and we have officers out checking every inch of that area.’

Will began to collect himself. ‘Have there been any sightings? How long has she been missing?’

‘She has been gone since two fifteen, and no. No sightings, as yet.’

‘What about her clothes? You say she went into the changing area. Did she actually get dressed?’

Bryn nodded. ‘Her swimming costume was still in the changing room, and all her clothes were gone.’

‘Could she have been abducted?’

There was an uncomfortable silence. Then the door opened wider. Kate was standing just inside, her mouth slightly open, her eyes wide and staring. ‘Abducted?’