The panic I had felt earlier had been displaced by anger. I listened to the satisfying click as I pulled back the slide and chambered a round in each of the Glocks, and then slid them into the back of my trousers, butts facing outermost. My jacket was loose fitting and would hopefully hide any telltale bulges. I was prepared to risk shooting my bum off in exchange for the ease of access and time saved. I had a feeling I might need it.

I took a deep breath, put on my very best fifth-form drama-class nonchalance and walked to the front door.

There were no discernible voices from inside the house. I slid my key into the lock and entered the lion’s den. I pushed the door closed, but not fast behind me.

‘Hi de hi,’ I called out. ‘Anybody home? Dopey me forgot my gym clothes.’ I was greeted at the door by Fluffy, who smooched around my legs, then by a voice.

‘Hi, Sam, we’re in the kitchen.’ The voice was Phil’s. I walked as casually as I could down the hallway and stepped across the threshold.

Two sets of eyes looked at me, but only one person could do the talking. Mum was seated at the table. I took in the details in an instant. She was cable tied by each hand to the chair back. The familiar silver duct tape slashed across her mouth. Terror and desperate pleading screamed out from her eyes. Phil was standing behind her, at the head of the table. His left hand was cupped under her chin, the right held the serrated carver knife to her throat. He held it with enough pressure to create a row of claret dashes, where the tips cut into her skin.

I felt the bitter weight of hatred settle on to the seething in my stomach. I lifted my eyes from my mother’s to the killer’s.

‘Sam, you disappoint me. You’ll have to try harder than that. I didn’t come down in the last shower.’

My ears detected the crackle of a police radio scanner. Jesus, he knew exactly what I was up to.

‘Yes,’ he said, leaning his head towards the set on the bench. ‘I know you’ve come armed, and I know you’ve got no back-up. It’s amazing how many officers they’ll send off when you ring in and tell them you saw a couple of students with lots of guns heading into a high school, nowadays. One thing we’ve got to thank the Americans for.’ The smile that I had once found charming took on a sinister bent. ‘Your guys have taken the bait beautifully. In fact, I’ve become quite fond of toying with you. It’s all too easy. Anyway, enough of this. Time’s short. I don’t need to mention what’s at stake here, do I?’