‘Where are we going, Dad?’ he asked drowsily.

‘On a little holiday, Rory, just you and me.’

When Angelina had received the call saying Rory was missing from school, Julian had refused to accompany her there.

‘Better you go alone, darling. As you constantly point out, it’s best if I don’t meet Rory just yet.’

So Angelina drove hurriedly and alone to St Stephen’s, heart in her mouth. The Fleat House matron was waiting for her, looking grim.

‘Have you found him yet?’ Angelina asked breathlessly.

‘No. We have staff and the boarders searching the grounds, but being a Sunday afternoon, we’re down on numbers.’

Angelina slumped into the nearest chair and put her hands to her face. ‘Oh God, oh God, why would he have run away? What if someone’s kidnapped him? What if—’

‘Please calm yourself, Mrs Millar. The chances are that Rory is hiding somewhere in the school. For whatever reason, perhaps he wants to be alone. I know for a fact that this whole business with Charlie Cavendish upset him, and then the stomach bug, which gave him a high fever, has probably made him a little irrational. Have you contacted his father yet?’

‘I’ve tried, but he isn’t answering his mobile and he doesn’t have a landline at the house.’

‘Well, keep trying. I’m sure it’s crossed your mind that Mr Millar has been eager to see his son recently. I’ve certainly taken a fair few calls from him.’

‘No, that can’t be.’ Angelina shook her head. ‘David didn’t even know Rory was in the san. He thought he was at home with me.’

Matron eyed her. ‘So, you’re not in the habit of letting your ex-husband know when his child is unwell?’

‘He was hardly at death’s door, was he? Or that’s what you told me, anyway,’ Angelina snapped back guiltily. ‘Besides, rather than criticising me, I’d like to know how you can explain losing a child in your care?’

‘I’m matron of Fleat House, not the sanatorium, Mrs Millar. The matron in charge will be back to see you in a few minutes. She told me she looked in on Rory just before ten this morning and he was fast asleep. She left him and went to her office to complete some paperwork. Twenty minutes later, when she looked in again, he was gone.’

‘But where? How? You must know something.’

‘Remember, this isn’t a prison. It would have been a simple matter of a couple of flights of stairs and out of the front door for Rory to gain his freedom.’

‘Unless someone took him?’

‘Well, now we’ve discounted your ex-husband, I very much doubt that.’

‘Matron, I’ve heard there’s a police investigation going on concerning the death of a child in Rory’s house. What if there is a lunatic wandering around? What if he’s got my Rory? Oh God! Where is he?!’

Angelina burst into tears.

‘There, there, Mrs Millar, let’s try and keep calm.’ Matron patted her shoulder ineffectually. ‘Come through to Mr Frederiks’s study and I’ll get you a cup of tea. I’ve contacted the head and he’s on his way to see you. Please try not to worry. I’m sure Rory is fine.’