She’d left Easton following up as best he could with the families of the other missing persons cases. If all went to plan she’d be back at work by lunch. Not that she was itching to get back there, only to make a fool of herself again. Plus, the unexpected time with her niece and nephew was a refreshing change. She only wished she made the effort to see them more often. She’d barely seen them for months after her injury. Hadn’t really wanted to, in honesty. Like many things in her life, she’d not been able to find pleasure in their company anymore, instead feeling like they were just unnecessary hassle. She cringed inwardly at the thought. She knew it was wrong to have felt that way, to still feel that way at times, yet that was simply the way her brain was wired now.

Chloe came whizzing up to Dani on her scooter.

‘You look funny today.’

‘Funny?’

Chloe pursed her lips and cocked her head, looking pensive.

‘Your hair’s different. And your clothes.’

By which Dani assumed Chloe meant she was more used to seeing her aunt dressed in jogging bottoms and hoodies. Comfort wear.

‘I was supposed to be at work this morning,’ Dani said. ‘You remember what I do?’

‘Yeah. You catch the bad guys.’

Dani smiled. ‘I certainly try my best.’

‘Did you know we have the same surname?’

‘I know. Perhaps one day you could be Detective Stephens too.’

‘No. I’m going to be an astronaut.’

‘Wow. Can I come to space with you?’

‘No. You have to be really strong. You’re too fragile now. Mummy said so. You might break.’

Dani laughed even though she wondered about how that conversation between mum and daughter had gone, and what Gemma’s intention had been.

‘Where’s uncle Jason?’ Chloe asked.

‘He’s at work.’

‘Mummy said he’s not your boyfriend anymore.’

Dani sighed. ‘No. He’s not.’

‘I like him.’

‘Yeah,’ Dani said.

‘He’s big and strong. Maybe he could come to space with me.’

‘Maybe you should ask him.’

Chloe looked away coyly. A second later she was whizzing off again. Feeling more at ease than she had in ages, Dani watched them both intently for a few minutes. In many ways she wished she lived in such a world of innocence like they did.

Harry bounded over, his cheeks reddened from his non-stop activity.

‘I’m starving,’ he said. No pleasantries like his talkative sister, just straight to the point. An undoubted Stephens characteristic. ‘What have you got to eat?’

It was barely eleven a.m. but Dani didn’t care. They sat down in McDonald’s and Harry pulled out his Big Mac as Chloe dove straight into her Happy Meal box for the toy.

‘Yes!’ she said. ‘I really wanted this one.’

‘Must be your lucky day,’ Dani said, taking her burger out of its box.