That seems to satisfy Niamh for now and she goes back upstairs. Seconds later, I hear her door close, then music drifting through the gap underneath it. Not the usual upbeat tracks she plays, but a haunting instrumental that tells me what my daughter can’t put into words.

She’s frightened.

*

I leave it until later to call James. ‘I’m sorry to call so late. I was just wondering if you’d heard from Hollie.’

‘No. No-one’s seen her.’ He sounds worried sick – and defeated. ‘I’ve spoken to the police again and they’re on their way round now. They may well call in on you tomorrow.’

‘Tomorrow?’ Slightly shocked, I’m thinking on my feet. ‘I’m working, James. I have to go out early.’

‘Can I give them your mobile number? Hollie’s spent so much time at your place recently, I’m sure they’ll want to talk to you – and Niamh.’

‘Of course.’ I pause. ‘But let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.’

Chapter Seven

Jo

It’s late, the end of a long first day back at work after a month’s compassionate leave – supposedly long enough to get over my husband walking out. I imagine some naïve psychologist calculating the number of days before shock subsides, grief levels out, and the new normality of being left starts to settle. They’ve got it massively wrong, of course, because anyone can tell you that after ten years in a dysfunctional marriage, a month is nothing.

About to leave the office when the phone rings, I think about letting it go to voicemail. But habit wins out. ‘Joanna May.’ I listen to the detective inspector’s voice at the other end, my stomach suddenly lurching when he tells me that a teenage girl has disappeared in the village of Abingworth, not far from here. My heart sinks as I think about facing distraught parents right now, when my own emotions are still raw. ‘Look, I wouldn’t normally ask, sir, but isn’t there someone else who could do this?’

He hesitates. ‘I need someone good. And you’re up to speed with Operation Rainbow. This is our chance to get someone into the village without suspicions being aroused.’ He pauses again. ‘But I’ll understand if you’d rather not. I’ll see if Robson’s around.’

I pause. Operation Rainbow is the name of an investigation into a suspected porn ring that’s been linked to the area around Abingworth, albeit tenuously so far. The DI knows I’ve been off work, but this is an opportunity we need to take for the police to get closer without arousing the suspicion of the villagers. Now that I’m back I have to rise to the challenge, or else people will start asking questions. ‘It’s fine, sir. I’ll go over there.’

‘You’re sure? Thank you, Jo.’ The DI sounds relieved.