He’d noticed that Karla had taken her make-up bag with her when she’d gone out, so clearly it was a night on the town she had lined up. He just wished she had mentioned if she was intending to stay out the whole night. Jason closed his eyes and prayed again that she was safe.

He switched off Holly’s light and pulled her door quietly to, and then, checking his watch, wondered what to do. He badly wanted to touch base with Jessie, but she would be at work, halfway through her night shift.

Jason debated for a second and then, hoping he wouldn’t catch her at a bad time, he texted her. He’d barely pressed send when his phone rang. Jessie. He swore she had a sixth sense. She seemed to know him better than he did himself, sometimes. But then, she could probably guess things weren’t great here if he was texting her in the middle of the night.

‘Hey,’ he said. ‘Are you busy?’

‘Unfortunately, yes.’ Jessie sighed apologetically. ‘I’ve barely had time to draw breath. I think every club-goer in the vicinity of Carlow has descended on accident and emergency tonight. I’m up to my armpits in it, I swear, but I’ll spare you the details.’

Listening to the light, melodic lilt of her voice, Jason couldn’t help smiling. He loved her Irish accent. It always seemed to lift him.

‘Are you not sleeping?’ she asked him.

‘Not yet, no. Karla’s out, and I, er…’ He stopped. Did Jessie really want to hear all this?

‘You’re worried about her,’ she finished intuitively. ‘It’s okay, Jason. You can talk about her, you know? She’s the mother of your children. I’d hardly expect you not to be worrying about where she is.’

‘I wish she’d bloody well remember she had children.’ Jason sighed despondently.

‘You’re angry with her?’

‘A bit,’ he admitted. ‘More with myself, to be honest. The marriage is over, but… I could have handled things better.’

‘I don’t think there’s any good way to handle the breakdown of a marriage,’ Jessie offered sympathetically.

Jason pulled in a breath. ‘No,’ he acknowledged, with another heavy sigh.

‘She’ll be back,’ Jessie assured him. ‘She’s proving she has a life without you, that’s all.’

Jason supposed she was right. It was what kind of life that was worrying him. Karla’s life had been her kids. This. Him. And he’d screwed it up. ‘You’d better go,’ he said, remembering Jessie was busy. ‘Attend to the needs of your club-goers.’