‘What makes you come to that conclusion? We all know you’re a hopeless shortarse, so why can’t you see that?’

‘That’s a bit harsh. Can I ask you something?’

‘I can’t stop you asking, if you think around our relationship here. You’re the one pulling the levers.’

‘Okay, so tell me: why do people feel so free to have a go at me and treat me like a soft touch?’

‘Simple. It’s because you are so desperate for people to like you, it’s written all over your face and permeates your whole outlook. They know there will be no comeback on them; you will soak it up like a sponge. You should think around not getting all tarty about it. It’s your choice; you’re the one to blame and if it’s not working out for you, have a think about growing up.’

At that moment the squirrel drops his front paws onto the floor then raises them up again to resume his cute hind-legs stance. I notice a couple of pieces of cherry blossom have stuck to his front paws as he rubs them off against his cheeks. They look like pieces of confetti and, with that thought, I instantly guess where they are hiding Emily.

‘I think I know where she is,’ I exclaim.

‘Well, tell the police, you big-nosed clown.’

‘Do you want a kick in the nuts?’ I ask.

‘That’s more like it. Good luck finding her.’

I wave him goodbye, jump into my car and head off in the direction of Sydenham. On my way through Camberwell, I notice a number of police vehicles and a little clump of interested onlookers outside the offices of Cityside Investigations. Maybe they already have Tommy and perhaps Emily, but my instinct spurs me on to continue with my incredible rescue mission.

I arrive at Brendan’s house within ten minutes and enter through the front gate. It clunks shut behind me with a metallic bang and probably puts paid to any chance of my arrival going unnoticed. There is police tape sealing the front door. I begin to wonder if Tommy would really have the bottle to take Emily here when it was so recently searched by the police and definitely part of an ongoing investigation. Then again, Brendan wasn’t killed here and the place has obviously been searched and processed. Maybe it’s actually the perfect place to hide her. The path round to the back of the house is still carpeted with cherry blossoms, a good inch thick in places. The back door had also been sealed with police tape, but it has been removed and dumped on the path. I knock on it a few times with no response and then from below me and to my left I hear a muffled female voice shouting.

‘Hello! Hello! Is somebody out there?’

My stomach takes a twirl as I recognize the voice belongs to Emily.