‘What’s wrong?’ Anna asked, staring at her sister’s reflection. Impossible to read the dead eyes, but Anna had studied her sister’s body language all their lives. She didn’t like what she felt from the one person she expected to be wholeheartedly on her side:

Doubt.

‘Jane?’

‘There was that missing girl in Bradford a couple of days ago,’ Jane said. ‘She was thirteen. Mother kicked up a stink when she didn’t return from school, and friends and family went out searching. The police searched the house, though, and they found a drawing of Nemesis – you know, that ride at Alton Towers?’

Jane stepped forward and grabbed Anna’s hand. ‘Stop that. I can hear it.’ She felt Anna’s neck. ‘Get some cream.’

Anna’s hand had been scraping at her throat again. The mirror showed her red blotches, raspy skin. She hadn’t suffered a stress rash for years.

‘Turned out the family had been planning to go to Alton Towers,’ Jane said, her story continuing. ‘But it fell through. The police went there and found her sleeping rough outside the entrance. She’d run off to go ride Nemesis. Unreal. The police wouldn’t have known if they hadn’t searched the house.’

Anna’s heart sank. ‘Why are you telling me that story? You agree with them, don’t you? That Nick ran off with Josie?’

‘No, I’m not saying that, Annie. I don’t believe that any more than I believe people broke into the house and took a grown man. That’s not what I meant. But Nick… he must have gone out.’

Anna said nothing. She got up to grab jeans and one of Nick’s T-shirts from the wardrobe.

‘He must have, Annie. Think about it.’

‘Oh, are you about to quote evidence at me, like they did?’

As Anna tossed her muddy nightgown aside, Jane turned her head away, even though blind. Anna started to dress.

‘If I have to, Annie. Think about it. You said the back door wasn’t forced open. There was no noise. And his van? It must be something Nick had to do, and he took Josie with him.’

‘Like what, Jane? At three in the morning, without telling me, and leaving the door wide open. Like what?’

‘I don’t know, but let’s say the police are right. Nick abducted Josie. That’s horrible, but isn’t it also the best answer?’

‘I would love it if that was the answer, Jane. If Josie is with her dad, then they’re both fine, aren’t they? Even if they decide never to come back, I know they’re not in danger. Nick would never allow Josie to get hurt. They’ll live a long and happy life. I would love that to be the case rather than what I’m thinking. But I just know it’s not true.’