On the back of the sofa was a throw. Gently, he covered her body but left her face on show as if she were asleep. Arty peered closer and noticed the white powder all over her face and up her nose. His attention was taken away when he heard Mike’s haunting, desperate pleas.

‘Come on, Ricky, talk to me, Son. Please say something. It’s ya dad. I’m here.’ The sobs that left Mike’s throat would have had any grown man in tears. He just couldn’t face losing him – not now, not when he’d just got him back. All those years of pain believing Ricky had been dead was hard, but if his boy died now, it would rip his heart right out, and he wouldn’t want to live himself. ‘Please, God, please help him!’

Arty kneeled down with Mike and held Ricky’s wrist, feeling for a pulse; it was there, but it was very faint. He locked eyes with Mike. It was the first time in his life he’d witnessed the most powerful man he knew reduced to a soulless, vulnerable wreck; he looked a withered old man, expressing the essence of absolute grief. The sad sight of Mike seemingly alone in his desolation had Arty unable to speak. Tears tumbled down his cheeks. This bleakest moment of his life seemed to play out in slow motion.

Relief came when they heard the sirens. Arty got his act together and hurried downstairs to show the paramedics the way up to the flat. Then the police arrived – four carloads of them.

As the paramedics got to work, taking Ricky’s vitals and preparing him to be stretchered off, Staffie pulled Mike away. ‘Let them do what they’ve got to do, mate. Step back.’

Mike was as weak as a kitten, so consumed by torment. He looked to be in a trance. ‘His name’s Ricky. Please help him. Don’t let him die!’

The female paramedic with a kind face rubbed Mike’s arm. ‘He’s your son, then?’

Mike nodded with sad tears rolling down his face. ‘Tell me, he’s gonna be okay?’

She could feel his pain and nodded. ‘We’ll do what we can. We need to get him to the hospital. Do you want to come with us?’

Before he even had a chance to answer, two policemen bowled into the room. ‘Hold it. Sorry, sir, you need to come with us. We’ll need to ask a few questions.’