Detective Matthews shakes her head. ‘The DNA we took has turned up nothing,’ she says. ‘And there’s no evidence of anyone else’s DNA on her.’

‘Well, that’s a relief. Hopefully that means she wasn’t deliberately hurt,’ Amber says.

‘Doesn’t necessarily rule it out,’ Detective King replies. ‘It’s all still a bit of a mystery, I’m afraid.’

‘What’s next?’ Amber asks, crossing her arms.

‘Next is a media appeal,’ Detective Matthews says. ‘Lumin was reluctant when we broached it with her before but it’s really getting to the stage where we need the public’s help.’

‘Is that why you’re here,’ Amber asks them, ‘to tell her about the media appeal?’

The detectives nod.

‘I’ll come with you,’ Amber says.

‘No,’ a voice calls out. She turns to see the nurse Jen rushing down the corridor. ‘I can handle it from here.’

‘She’ll need a friendly face,’ Amber says, frustrated.

‘That’s why I’m here,’ the nurse says, smoothing her uniform. ‘We’ll keep you posted. In fact, it’s probably best you don’t come back later. We have a very poorly child on the ward and the parents have asked to keep noise to a minimum.’

Amber arches an eyebrow at Jen. ‘You’re saying I’m noisy.’

‘Just the laughter might be a bit much,’ the nurse replies in clipped tones.

‘Oh, right,’ Amber says, nodding sagely. ‘Laughter’s never good for ill children, is it?’ She shakes her head then storms out. What was it with that nurse? Amber brews over it all the way downstairs. Then she hears footsteps behind her. She turns to see Jasper jogging over, his messy hair flopping up and down.

‘Just caught sight of you from the lift,’ he says, out of breath.

‘Have you stopped playing football?’ Amber asks, noticing how puffed he looks.

He laughs as he pats his tummy. ‘Is my pot belly giving me away?’

‘Oh, come out, you’re as slim as ever. I’m the one who needs to take up some kind of sport.’

His face goes serious. ‘You look great actually.’

Amber looks down at her feet, unable to meet his eyes.

‘You didn’t look too happy when I saw you just now,’ he says.

‘It’s that bloody nurse friend of yours.’

Amber explains what happened and Jasper shakes his head. ‘That’s out of order.’

Amber looks at him in surprise. ‘Wow, you’re not sticking up for her for once.’

‘When have I ever stuck up for her?’

‘It doesn’t matter.’ Amber looks up towards the ward. ‘They’re going to the media with Lumin’s story.’

‘Good. They should have done it sooner.’

‘Lumin doesn’t want them to.’

‘But it might get her home.’

‘That’s what I thought.’

Jasper nervously plays with the security card hanging around his neck. ‘Did Jen mention the plans for Lumin, now her injury seems better?’

‘No.’