He stopped pacing and closed his eyes. It helped. ‘I want her back. I’ve got your money. It’s what you want. I’ll do what you want.’

‘Eight million men were conscripted into the fight against the Germans in the Second World War, as well as many unmarried women. Do you care, Nicky-boy?’

Behind the man’s voice, he heard a roaring noise, like a chainsaw. ‘What’s this got to do with my daughter? Look, please, can I speak to her before I do this? You’ll get your money, I promise. Just put my little girl on the line.’

The chainsaw noise continued.

‘Family strife, Nick. All those souls drafted into the war left a lot of old people without support, and the government’s poverty policies weren’t up to the job. We need our old people. They built this world, yet they get overlooked. The problem continues to this day. Do you remember six years ago when you were in the city centre and you walked right past someone collecting for the old? I swore vengeance that day. Now the dues will be paid.’

‘Are you listening? Do you want this money or not? Put my daughter on. Please.’

‘Go into the Age UK charity shop.’

It was right next door, just feet away. He stepped closer so he could look inside. An old lady was behind the counter and jabbering to the only other occupant, a similarly aged man scanning the cheap books. He didn’t approach the door.

‘What the hell are you talking about? Where’s my daughter?’

‘In you go. Let’s get serious now. Dues, Nick. Donate the £50,000 to a good cause.’

In the living room, puzzled glances were exchanged as Nick said:

‘Donate the ransom money to the Age UK shop? All of it?’

‘So the house he mentioned?’ Bennet said. ‘Is that still part of this?’

No one spoke up, which was answer enough. Nick’s camera pushed through the doors. Inside, an elderly pair turned to stare at him, and he just about yelled into his phone:

‘I’m inside. Look, let me talk to my daughter and I’ll do what you want.’

‘You’re very demanding and antagonistic. Didn’t the hostage negotiator warn you about that sort of behaviour? You’ll do what I want or you’ll have your kid’s funeral without a body. You can bury that shoebox as a token. Donate the money to the frail and helpless, right now. All of it.’

Nick went to the counter. His camera displayed a woman obviously spooked. She started to reach for a phone on the counter. Until he dumped a bunch of money before her.