‘Billy?’ He scratches his head. ‘I know a Will Turner. Is that him?’

‘No. His name’s Billy Wilkinson. He’s fifteen. He disappeared over six months ago. I know he had friends near Gloucester Road.’

‘Never heard of him, sorry.’

‘You must know him then.’ I turn back to Jay. ‘You let me in.’

He runs a hand over his ginger beard, finds the end and tugs on it. ‘You were shouting through the letterbox. What else was I supposed to do?’

I feel myself grow hot under the scrutiny of three pairs of eyes.

‘But the bike …’ The door is open on the other side of the living room revealing a dark hall or passageway.

‘What bike?’

‘I saw you on a bike. A BMX. Distinctive. Yellow and black.’

‘And?’ Jay crosses his arms over his broad chest and takes a step back, as though to get a better look at me.

‘Could I …’ I take a step towards the hallway. ‘Could I have a look at it?’

‘It’s not for sale.’

The atmosphere in the room has changed. When I entered the house they were amused and curious. Now they want me to leave.

I hear a sound from beyond the open door, the squeak-squeak-squeak of rusty bed springs and a low groan. Jay and the art student exchange a look. The student hides a smile behind his book. Why are they looking at each other like that? Is Billy here? Are they hiding him?

‘All right, lady.’ Jay puts a hand on my arm. ‘I think it’s time for you to go now, don’t you?’

There’s another sound from beyond the hallway. A moan of pain. The art student sniggers.

I snatch my arm away from Jay and, before he can react, I dart round him and run across the living room towards the open door. It’s dark in the hallway but I can just make out a bike, propped up against the wall. There are several rooms along the length of the corridor. All the doors are open apart from the one at the far end of the hallway. As I sprint towards it a hand grabs my shoulder and I’m yanked backwards, but not before I’ve kicked out a leg and made contact with the door with the heel of my boot.

It swings open.