Elliott tried to chase the thought but it was gone. It was more than he’d meant to say. Maggie squeezed his shoulder a little tighter this time. She always told him to keep things to himself, but he really wanted to find his friend. Then all of a sudden a thought entered his mind which made him sick with fear. If you tell, you’ll go to hell. When the Midnight Man was finished with Jahmelia, he was coming for him.

‘You did great,’ Maggie said, as they walked out to the hall. She drew him close like she could feel his worry. ‘How much longer will the police be in our house?’ she asked Yvonne.

‘Not long,’ Yvonne replied, bouncing on her heels as she walked with them down the hall. ‘But we appreciate you giving us permission for the search.’ All residents in Slayton were being visited by the police in case Jahmelia was hiding out somewhere. Elliott stole a glance up at Yvonne, but she would not meet his gaze. The hallway was long and bright, with posters on the walls.

‘I hear you’re a friend of Sarah’s,’ she continued. ‘Sarah Noble. She’s been telling us all about you – and Elliott.’

‘I’ve known Sarah since school,’ Maggie answered.

‘Yeah, yeah,’ Yvonne replied.

Elliott scratched his nose. Yvonne said ‘yeah, yeah’ a lot. It meant she wasn’t really listening at all.

‘Sarah’s only a statement taker, barely out of probation, in fact,’ Yvonne continued. ‘But she does her best, bless her.’

‘I’m sure she’s a very capable officer,’ Maggie replied, as they got to the door.

‘Oh, what am I like?’ Yvonne smiled, in no hurry to let them out. ‘I’ve spoken out of turn. Sarah’s a great little officer. She’s very pragmatic. Doesn’t believe in all this superstitious nonsense. She’s always said that there’s a logical answer for Elliott’s behaviour.’

‘And what do you mean by that?’ Maggie’s voice grew sharp. ‘Because I don’t like your tone. It’s bad enough officers are traipsing through my house … Elliott’s done nothing wrong.’

Yvonne’s hand touched her mouth. ‘Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry, Mrs Carter, I didn’t mean to offend you. Elliott has been helpful. We’re all so worried about Jahmelia. If we’ve seemed … aggressive with our methods then I apologise. If Elliott was missing, we’d do the exact same. Please don’t take it personally.’ She flashed them both a smile before opening the door.

Elliott blinked in the sunlight. Felt his mother relax a little next to him as she spoke. ‘Of course. I understand.’ But Yvonne had been mean about Sarah. He could see it on her face when she spoke. His schoolteacher, Miss Grogan, said if everyone was kind then the world would be a happier place. Elliott liked Miss Grogan a lot.