––which pulsed red and blue in the night, lighting up his rear-view. Snapped awake from a nightmare memory by a single blare of the siren, Nick realised he was doing over a hundred miles an hour, leaving behind everybody except the police.

He veered left, crossed two lanes and slipped into the hard shoulder. Upon stopping, he got out of the car. A police officer in a bright yellow jacket ordered him back inside, but wanted his arms sticking out the window. He did as instructed, and the officer finally decided it was safe to approach. But he stayed out of arm’s reach.

They went through the motions: licence, registration, not my car, borrowed it, hand me the keys and sit right there, sir. Nick looked round to see the other officer on the car radio, probably running his name and the car’s registration. They would find out about his one-year driving ban seventeen years ago, but that would be no cause for concern and hopefully he’d be behind the wheel again soon. His only worry was that Anna’s dad, when called, would say his car had been stolen. If that happened, he would have to make a run for it. Somehow.

The guy on the radio waved his comrade over, but he was back quickly with fresh orders for Nick. Out of the car. Turn around. Nick said nothing until he felt handcuffs snapping on. ‘Hang on a mo, the guy who owns the car is my father-in-law, and he’s a bit of a twat.’

‘Be quiet. And listen carefully, pal, okay? Nicolas Carter, I’m arresting you on suspicion of cruelty to a child—’

‘What?’

The caution came as he was led to the police car. He was put in the rear, hands cuffed behind him. Throughout, he demanded answers. He got one not long after the driver got out of the car to take a call on his mobile radio. Nick had a serious sinking feeling, but sixty seconds later found himself standing on the hard shoulder and no longer in handcuffs. He was given a ringing mobile phone. By now he was thoroughly puzzled and wondering if he’d had a false awakening.

‘Nick?’ said a voice he recognised.

‘DCI Miller. Did you arrange for me to be arrested?’

‘Ah, apologies. I had to put you on the system when you went missing overnight. I guess I forgot to take you off, my friend. What are you doing on the M1?’

‘Forget that. What’s this horse crap about cruelty to a child?’

‘Only way I could put you on the system. As a wanted man. I’ll get rid of it. So, your presence halfway down the M1?’

‘I’m lucky these guys didn’t hammer me. Cruelty to a child! What the hell?’

‘Like I said, apologies. M1?’

‘I’m just out driving to clear my head. Against the law, is it?’