‘Okay, I’m on the way in now.’ When she had killed the call and stuffed the toiletry bag inside the holdall – ‘I’ve put the spare toothpaste in there, and your toothbrushes,’ Angel said helpfully – she zipped it up and lifted it off the bed. With all her and Kev’s clothes packed, it was ridiculously heavy for a single night away.

‘Maybe I should leave it here and come and pick it up tonight before we go.’

‘That’s just stupid,’ said Angel, and tried to take it from Sasha. ‘I’ll carry it downstairs if you want.’

Sasha gave her a long look. ‘You seem very keen to get shot of me.’

‘I knew it,’ Angel said, her emotions going from zero to sixty in a heartbeat. ‘You don’t trust me, you never trust me about anything.’

‘I didn’t mean it like that,’ protested Sasha.

‘Yes, you did, you don’t ever see the good side of me, and you never will.’

‘Okay, I did,’ Sasha admitted, because she didn’t want to have a row first thing. ‘I’m worried about you, and about leaving you on your own.’

But Angel made a face. ‘I’m fine now. I’m much better, I really am. You don’t have to worry about me, Mum. I’m just going to lie on the sofa and watch Netflix and eat crisps.’

Sasha thought of that poor girl, Sarah Tovey, who had vanished on the streets of Brentwood, and it reminded her once again of Angel’s own abduction.

‘You’re not going to sneak out anywhere while we’re gone… to a pub or club or something?’

‘I’m not going to leave the house,’ insisted her daughter.

‘Come here, baby.’ Sasha took Angel in her arms, and to her surprise and delight her daughter even returned the hug, which made Sasha immediately feel much better about the whole thing. She kissed the top of Angel’s head and said, ‘You’re sure you’re going to be okay?’

Angel tutted. ‘I’m sure. Just make sure you and Dad have a great time, and don’t get too drunk and embarrass me.’

‘Ugh.’ Denny came into the room and as soon as he saw them hugging turned to leave.

‘Denny,’ called Sasha, and he popped his head back in. ‘Just because you’re on a sleepover doesn’t mean you and your mates can stay up all night staring like zombies into your phones. Try and get some sleep, yes?’

‘We’ll be asleep by eleven o’clock,’ Denny told her with a smirk. ‘Scout’s honour.’

Angel grabbed the bag and they followed Denny onto the landing. ‘Go straight to Harley’s house after school,’ said Sasha. ‘I don’t want you hanging around in the town centre.’

‘His dad is picking us up from school.’