Georgio put the nonsense and his troubles out of his mind. He wasn’t worth the energy or the time.

He walked slowly to the recreation room, which was nearly empty, and sat at a small table shuffling a pack of cards aimlessly, trying to work out what to write to Donna to make her come round to his way of thinking.

He had to get out - and she was the one person no one would ever suspect of helping him. He had already decided how it was to be done. All he needed was her co-operation and he would be home and dry.

Samuel Broomfield walked into the room and smiled at Georgio, who dropped his eyes quickly, observing the boy surreptitiously as he flicked through the TV screen until he found a children’s programme. Georgio watched Broomfield watch the children, who were running round a TV studio playing a game.

Three hours of heavy traffic later, Donna pulled up outside the high-rise block of flats in East Ham.

‘Got time to come up for a quick coffee, Donna?’

‘OK then.’ She helped Caroline and the children from the car. Locking up, she followed them inside the building.

The entrance hall was full of litter, old newspapers, Coke cans and circulars. As the lift doors opened she was assailed with the stench of urine, human as well as canine.

On the seventh floor they disembarked, all giving a hearty sigh of relief and taking in a deep gulp of air. Donna was surprised to see Caroline unlock two mortice locks as well as a Chubb lock on the front door. It was dark in the lobby. Walking into the flat, Caroline turned on the hallway light.

‘We have to use the lights all year round here. Come on in, Donna. Michael Joseph, take your coat off and put it on your bed. ’Vonne, go and put the pushchair in the cupboard. I’ll put the kettle on.’

Donna followed her down the hallway into the lounge. The kitchen led off it and Donna looked around her at the neat home. The walls of the lounge were painted pale green; a deep green Dralon-covered Chesterfield and two chairs were strategically positioned to give maximum space, and the TV was in a dark wood cabinet. The large windows had deep green, swagged velvet curtains. A small coffee table held a few ornaments and a leadlight cabinet contained books and cut glass. The total effect was delightful.

‘It’s lovely in here!’

‘Well, don’t sound so surprised about it!’ Caroline grinned. ‘Me and Wayne done this place up just before he was nicked. I emulsioned the walls again a few weeks ago - keeps it looking fresh and clean.’ She disappeared into the kitchen and put on the kettle.

‘I bet your house is nice,’ she called, ‘what with the swimming pool and everything.’

Donna followed her into the kitchen and sat at the small table under the window.