‘Good. First priority is to find Millar and his son. Hello, Sir, DI Hunter here. Do you have a moment to run through a few things?’

The weather had been fine as David and Rory had arrived at the bottom of the Pike, having made a quick pit stop at a local shop to kit themselves out with boots and waterproofs. David paid by cash, knowing that if they were looking for him, they’d be checking his credit cards to see where he’d used them.

He hadn’t thought yet about when he would return. He was seizing the moment, enjoying the fact that Rory had woken earlier with colour in his cheeks, knocked back a hearty breakfast and was now standing next to him, eyes shining with anticipation, as he looked up at the great mountain, the summit shrouded in a veil of cloud.

‘Are we really going to make it right up to the top, Dad?’

‘I should hope so, as long as the weather holds. Come on, let’s get a move on.’ David heaved the small rucksack onto Rory’s shoulders and the larger one onto his own. ‘It’s half past ten already.’

They followed the other hardy souls through the stile, their feet crunching on pieces of flint, trying to avoid the hard sheep dung that littered the coarse grass.

‘The slope’s quite gentle to begin with, then towards the top it becomes far steeper. My goodness, it’s worth it when you get there,’ David said, beginning to stride out. ‘We’ll take it steadily, Rory, don’t want you overdoing it after being sick.’

‘Honestly, Dad, I’m much better today. I feel fine.’

‘That’s my boy.’ David smiled and ruffled Rory’s curls affectionately.

They walked in silence for the most part. Perhaps it was the fresh air, and the sight of his son beside him, but David’s head felt clear for the first time in months. He felt some positive energy starting to trickle back into his veins. He hadn’t touched alcohol for over twenty-four hours, his son still loved him and even though his marriage was over and his career may have stalled, surely he was still young enough to start again?

‘Let’s stop here and have a drink and a breather,’ David said, indicating a small ledge with a wonderful view of the valley below. He helped his son off with his rucksack and they sat down side by side, swigging water from a bottle.

‘See how far we’ve come already?’

‘Yes.’ Rory nodded. ‘I feel safe up here, away from everything.’

David looked at his son, saw the fear in his eyes. ‘Rory, when you called me on the payphone from school that day, you said you were scared of something. What was it?’

Rory shook his head. ‘Nothing, Dad, really.’

‘Rory, it’s obvious something has upset you. I’m your father and you know you can tell me anything, however grim. Is it me and Mummy getting divorced?’

Rory didn’t answer. He looked straight ahead.

‘I know how hard it’s been for you and I’ve been a bad father recently. But I promise you, I’m much better now and even if I can’t be at home like I used to, I’m always going to be there for you.’