“She took it when she ran,” said Ruby, a little too quickly. Ruby rummaged inside the bag for the wipes, but Leonie had seen what was coming and was wriggling in her arms to get away. “No wipe!” she shouted, kicking her legs hard so that Ruby had to put her down. In a split second she’d slipped from Ruby’s grasp and was running full pelt toward the road. The police woman said, “Whoa,” and stepped smoothly into the child’s path to catch her.

“I see what you mean about her being a runner,” said Diane, and one of the police officers chuckled.

“Looks like you’ve got yourself an escapee there, love,” said the female officer, handing the still-struggling Leonie back to Ruby. She abandoned the wipe.

“She’s like this all the time. I’m hoping it’s a phase.”

“What I’ll do, love,” said Diane, “is I’ll send a report to the social worker that covers your area. There’ll be a flag on your file, but that’s just to help us keep an eye on things. It won’t count against you.”

“You’re not … taking her?”

“No, love. I don’t think you need our help at the moment. This is just one of those things. Could have happened to anyone. Your little angel there clearly has a passion for sprinting. Have you thought about one of those child harnesses with reins?”

Ruby nodded. “I’ve tried. I bought an expensive one in the shape of a ladybird. She just sits and screams the place down until I take it off her, or I let her hold the end of the reins herself, which kind of defeats the purpose.”

At the mention of screaming, the shopkeeper made a noise like he was about to say something. Ruby wondered what he’d seen. If Leonie had been crying … well. They needed to get going, fast.

“How about a buggy?” said Diane. “You could strap her in?”

Ruby shook her head wearily. “She’s very keen on being independent.” Leonie was under her arm, still kicking. Ruby crouched down and tried to persuade her to stand on her feet, with little success.

A stern voice spoke then, and Leonie stopped struggling.

“I’m afraid you’re going to have to toughen up if you’re going to keep that little lady safe, madam.” It was the male police officer. “You need to take charge. Listening to her scream is a lot preferable to the alternative in a situation like this.”

The child’s eyes glazed over. She went limp.

“I know,” said Ruby, picking Leonie up and cuddling her, knowing it was the sound of the man’s low voice that she couldn’t bear. “I’m sorry. I’ll put her in the buggy from now on.”