Noel kissed the top of Milly’s head.

Ellie finished the coffee as fast as she could, then drove back to the Assemblies of God church. Tom’s X5 was still outside, she saw with something approaching relief for the first time.

The church was packed, with most of the occupants rising to their feet as she entered. A couple of people clapped and someone even cheered, although they cut it short with an embarrassed silence when no-one joined in.

First person to come up and greet her was Ron Chapple – joy of bloody joys – shouldering his way up the aisle. “Constable Cheetham? Where’s my son? What happened to him?”

“Dave’s at the surgery now,” she said.

“Surgery? What?”

“I did try to tell him,” said Bert Annable, “but –”

“Just shut up, you.” Ron rounded on Ellie again. “Well?”

“He’ll be fine,” said Ellie. “Just shock. No physical damage. He’s had a bad scare, that’s all.”

“Scared the shit out of him, in fact,” Chris Brailsford muttered, triggering an outburst of laughter. Ron wheeled round, furious; Ellie caught his arm and he pulled away, his arm coming up. The absurdity of the spectacle triggered more laughter, although nervier and cut short; were they about to witness one of their leading citizens decking the local constable, or at least attempting to? Ellie actually felt something approaching sympathy for Ron Chapple, for the first time ever. His son had been in danger, and he was angry and scared. “Ron,” she said. “Dave’s gonna be fine. He’s at the surgery now. Milly’s just finished looking him and Charlotte over. You can go see him now if you want.”

Some of the anger went out of Chapple, and he lowered his eyes, then nodded. “Thank you,” he said at last. “For – getting him back.” And then he hurried out of the church, head down.

“Must have bloody hurt to say,” Bert Annable said. “You all right, Ellie? Close shave back there.”

She nodded. “I’m fine. I’m fine.” They’ll come for you tonight. All of you. She saw Julie’s face in the group. “Any joy raising Matlock?” she asked. “Sooner we can get some back-up here...”

“No luck, I’m afraid.” Tom Graham – still in uniform, Ellie realised – stepped forward. “Julie’s been on it, non-stop. I was thinking, now we’ve got the Land Rover back – I could try taking it out to the Height, see if I get any luck there.”

Ellie nodded. It had been known to work – she’d tried it herself earlier, after all. “Worth a go.” She handed him the keys. “Thanks, Tom.”

Tom looked as though he wanted to say something else, but either didn’t or couldn’t. “No problem,” he said, then passed her the keys to his vehicle. “Case you need it,” he muttered. “Let you know if I get anywhere.”

Bert Annable turned to Ellie. “Right then. What now?”