‘It’s not your fault. Anyway, have you got a camera or are you going to use your phone?’

‘I hadn’t thought that far ahead.’

Finley looks thoughtful. ‘Make sure your phone is fully charged, Mum. And we’ll set it to record. Where should we put it?’

‘Somewhere out of sight, but with a clear view of the landing, I think,’ I say, casting my eyes around. Finley does the same.

‘The high window, then,’ he states, pointing to the small, landing window.

It’s at eye level to me, but the boys always call it the high window, as they have to be lifted to see out of it. It’s the best place to achieve as wide a view of the upstairs as possible. We try it out, moving the phone to different positions on the windowsill and recording a few seconds to see how it looks. We decide on the best angle – the one where the bathroom door, Finley’s and Leo’s bedroom doors are all visible. Mine isn’t, but that’s fine – we can always reposition another night to get mine in view.

‘You won’t forget to press record, will you?’ Finley says.

‘I won’t. I’ll wait until it’s late so the battery lasts until morning. Is there a maximum amount of time I can record for, though?’ I search my settings.

‘I think it depends on data storage or something,’ Finley says.

‘Great. Well, I have no clue about stuff like that.’

‘Well, we can try it tonight and see. If it doesn’t record for long enough, maybe we could buy a proper recorder?’

‘Yes, good idea.’ I don’t have the spare money to buy a camcorder, or the like. But I’m fairly certain Jo and Keeley have one I could borrow.

‘Plug it in to charge, then we are all set.’ Finley smiles.

‘Are you all right about this? If you’re scared about …’

‘I’m fine. I want to know.’ His eyes settle on mine, and he holds my gaze. ‘I’m the man of the house, remember.’

I hug him tightly, then he kisses me on my cheek, goes into his bedroom and closes the door. A nervous energy shoots through me. If Finley can be brave about this, then so can I. I make my way downstairs and put my phone on to charge.

Tonight, I will get evidence. The kind I can confidently take to the police.

Chapter Sixty-Nine

Amber

I’m lying on my back, staring blankly at the ceiling. I’ve got my mobile on the pillow beside me, an alarm set for 1 a.m. I don’t suppose it’ll wake me as sleep is virtually impossible right now. My mind is currently having an argument with itself. Should I place the phone on the landing window to record? Or, should I stop torturing myself and reconsider the events that have led me here?