As he raced to the school, Nick realised he was running, rather than walking. The small front gates had only just opened and though the receptionist said hello, Nick couldn’t spare the time to speak. He made his way around to the back playground and paced outside the large glass doors to the classroom. He couldn’t stand still as his muscles twitched for him to keep moving. The other parents sensed something and asked tentatively if he was okay, but Nick could only mutter vague, non-committal replies. Thank God he’d left a little earlier today. After having worked like a pack horse all afternoon, making the most of a break in the rain, he’d hoped to get Freddie back before it started again. He’d imagined a cosy night in, hail battering the windows while they snuggled by the fire playing games and laughing. He’d been feeling so much more positive, but that was all fading now.

He paced past Bella’s classroom and when she saw him, he could tell she was upset too. Her eyes were awash with concern and her cheeks pale. If only he could say he didn’t blame her. He knew instinctively it wouldn’t be her fault, but he couldn’t deny the anger inside. His son had been hurt badly at a place he was supposed to be safe. Still, he didn’t blame Bella, he blamed Amias and, more accurately, Amias’s parents. Nick’s fists tightened again, and he edged away from the other parents as if the anger coming off him might burn them.

Moving back to Miss Radcliffe’s class, he saw Freddie sat at the back in his usual seat and his throat thickened. Freddie’s eyes were puffy and red from crying, his nose pink, and he was wearing his PE kit, which meant something had happened to his uniform. A glimmer of hope sprang into Freddie’s eyes when he spotted Nick there. It could have been happiness at being able to go home on time and forget about this awful day, but it seemed to be more than that: a plea for protection. His son needed him to make this right. To take the pain away and as soon as he was near enough, he’d wrap him in the biggest hug he could. His strong arms would shield his wonderful boy from the world and act as a barricade. He was never letting go.

Miss Radcliffe lined the children up as usual, but Freddie stayed seated. As she led the rest of the class to the door and began sending them out to their parents, chatting to one or two, Mrs White marched into the classroom. That was when Nick knew for sure that whatever had happened was incredibly serious and he wasn’t just overreacting. He checked Bella’s line for Amias and noted he wasn’t there. What did that mean?