Ruby swallowed hard. Think. “There’s no need for all that,” she said. “Just let me explain. She wasn’t abandoned—I lost her. We were at the seafront, watching the waves. She’s got this idea that it’s fun to run off—she does it all the time, all the day long, and it’s exhausting. So I was buying chips, and I turned round to pay the lady. Then when I looked back, she’d run off again! I panicked—she could have gone two different ways, and I must have run the wrong way. I’ve been searching for her ever since I lost her, and it’s only been—what?—ten, twenty minutes? I asked loads of people. I was about to call the police myself, and they got here so fast. I would never abandon her. There’s no child protection issue here. You can tell that just by looking at her—she’s dressed for the weather, isn’t she? She’s not undernourished or anything, is she? I just want to see her. I want to say sorry to her. I want to—”

A sob broke off the stream of words. Diane offered a tissue. The social worker’s expression seemed to have softened somewhat.

“It could have happened to anyone,” said Ruby. She blew her nose. “I’m not a bad mum.”

Diane put her notepad back in her bag.

“Where do you live, love?”

“Sheffield.”

“So, what are you doing in Cleethorpes? It’s a bit chilly for a seaside day trip, isn’t it?”

Ruby took a breath before she replied. “You have to get out, don’t you? When you have kids. Can’t keep them cooped up all day.”

Diane raised her eyebrows in weary recognition. She’s got kids of her own, thought Ruby.

The social worker gave her a long look. Then she knocked on the window, and someone from outside opened the car door.

“I’m just going to have a word with the police officers, Constance. Then we’ll let you see your daughter. Okay?”

Ruby tried to say, “Thanks,” but emotion choked her voice and she couldn’t get the word out in time. She knew she’d done something right if they were going to let her see Leonie. Careful, though, she told herself. If anything seemed off when the two of them were reunited, that would be it. She might be imprisoned for attempted child abduction or providing false details. She might never see Leonie again.