‘Last night … I was here late,’ Sharon continued. ‘We got a call to say she was more awake so me and Jamie rushed here and it was true!’ Sharon took another moment, fighting to continue talking. ‘She was sat up and looking at me, trying to talk, asking for my help to get a drink. It was so wonderful!’ Her smile was just a flicker. ‘Then it was time to leave and I didn’t want to. All this time waiting and then she was suddenly looking right at me … She could even smile!’ Sharon’s puffy right eye suddenly spat a tear. ‘But I had a bad feeling, I’ve had it a while but last night … it was so strong. I couldn’t explain it, not to anyone here or to you, you would just think I was going crazy, but I had to do something. We’re getting her back, my little girl … It was all I could think of. I swapped the folders. It was late and I was looking back at her and I saw this folder with her name written on it. When it gets out she’s awake again she’ll be back in the news, people will be interested. And I just want her left alone. I never really thought …’ She broke into sobs again.

‘What happened today, Sharon?’ Joel said.

‘That letter came this morning and I just felt so stupid. I haven’t done anything to make my kids safer. I mean, that’s a picture of us all, for Christ’s sake, whoever sent that knows what she looks like. They know where we live too and they … I couldn’t find Jamie. What do you do? Stay there, come here … I didn’t know. I’ve never felt so alone. So desperate!’ The tear this time was quickly followed by another.

‘It’s OK. Take your time.’

‘The police turned up and people were out looking straightaway. They said I needed to be at home in case he came back but I couldn’t stay there. The police brought me here and … the other girl … she has epilepsy … they do look similar. We said that, me and her mother … her poor mother!’ Sharon had to surrender to her sobs again, and Joel sat patiently.

‘What happened to the girl?’