Annie thanked her, went back to the car and told Callum.

‘Can I come with you, Mum?’

‘Sure, hop out.’

They found old John tinkering with an elderly petrol mower. ‘You’re not from round ’ere, are you?’

‘No. I wonder if you can help us,’ Annie said.

‘If I can.’

‘I’m looking for a lady called Harper, I—’

‘That’ll be our Fleur.’

‘That’s right! Would you be kind enough to tell us where she lives?’

John pointed to a lane that ran along the far side of the churchyard. ‘’Bout halfway down Glebe Close on the left-hand side, semi-detached with a dark-red front door. Number three.’

‘Thank you so much, sir. Much appreciated.’

Back in the car, Callum bent over his notebook, scribbling furiously. ‘Right, Mum. Got that. Let’s go.’

She drove down the lane and parked outside the house. There was no mistaking the large number three on the gate. ‘I want you to sit tight, Callum. I don’t know what kind of person she is, so you just keep your eyes peeled, okay?’

‘Okay. I’ll be backup if things turn ugly.’

A cartoon image of the boy flashed into her head, storming in, all guns blazing.

She rang the bell and waited.

‘Who is it?’ The voice behind the door had a slight tremor.

‘Fleur Harper? You don’t know me, but I wondered if I could have a word, please?’

‘If you’re the papers, you can just go away and leave me alone!’

‘I’m not, honestly, Mrs Harper. I just want to talk. He broke into my house too. That awful man, he stole a photo of my son.’ Silence.

After a while Annie heard the key turning in the lock. A woman peered anxiously through the narrow gap. ‘You aren’t just trying it on, are you, to get a story?’

‘No, I promise. Look, my son is in the car with me. I daren’t leave him alone and he’s too upset to go to school. My name is Annie Carson.’

‘Oh, yes! The police told me your name. You’d better come in.’

‘Can I bring Callum? I haven’t let him out of my sight since that night . . .’

Fleur stepped back. ‘Of course, you must keep him close. Bring him in.’

Annie hurried back and told Callum to get out of the car. ‘Be polite, now. This lady has had a terrible shock, just like us. Just keep quiet and remember what we say for your book. Okay, partner?’

‘Got it.’

Callum followed her into the house.

‘Come into the kitchen,’ said Fleur. ‘I’ll make tea.’ She looked at Callum. ‘Would you like a cold drink?’

‘I’m Callum, and yes, please.’

‘Diet Coke or orange juice, Callum?’

‘Orange, please, Mrs Harper.’