Pulling up on his drive, Mark sighed wearily. Tanya had wavered, just for a second, obviously tempted to shaft Cummings and give evidence about how he was passing drugs… ‘Yer living in la-la land,’ she’d told him outright. ‘What d’you think Eric’ll have to say about me talking to the law, hey?’

Eric, the oily bastard that pimped her out, and had probably pumped her full of drugs in the first place, was highly unlikely to say anything, preferring to do his talking with his fists, or worse. It had been a non-starter. Cummings must have known he was behind him, and he’d played right into his hands. He’d obviously promised Tanya drugs as payment and then, knowing Mark wouldn’t walk away, he’d decided to have fun of a different kind.

Idiot. Cursing his stupidity, Mark climbed out of the car and headed for his front door, trying to shake off the day as he did so. Mel really didn’t need this – him miles away, contemplating where the missing girl might be, what Cummings might be up to. She needed him on board when he was home, focused on his family.

Wondering how the land lay, he let himself through his front door with a degree of trepidation. He’d checked in earlier, learning from Jade that Hercules was okay. He’d left a message for Mel, but she hadn’t rung back, which was worrying.

‘Daddeee!’ Poppy, already in her pyjamas, immediately charged through to greet him from the lounge.

‘Hi, Poppet,’ he said, sweeping her up into his arms. ‘How’s my favourite seven-year old?’

‘Shhh.’ Poppy pressed a finger to her lips. ‘Hercules is sleeping.’

‘Is she?’ Mark matched her serious look with one of his own. ‘In which case, I’ll be as quiet as a mouse, I promise,’ he whispered, looking past her to Mel, who was smiling uncertainly in his direction.

Relieved, Mark walked towards her to offer a more affectionate kiss than he had this morning, although a rather awkward one, with Poppy sandwiched between them.

‘How is she?’ he asked softly, easing away.

‘Good. She lost a lot a blood, but the vet thinks she’ll be back to her old self in a day or two.’

‘She has to have lots of rest for the first twenty-five hours, though,’ Poppy informed him, with an important little nod.

‘Twenty-five, hey?’ Mark tried not to laugh, furrowing his brow thoughtfully instead. ‘In which case, we’d better tiptoe upstairs and read our story very quietly. I think it’s past a certain young lady’s bedtime, don’t you?’

Poppy immediately scowled at that, and then brightened as Jade came down the stairs. ‘I’ll take her,’ she said. Poppy whooped, then clamped a hand to her mouth, lest she wake the dog. ‘You look exhausted.’ Jade smiled sympathetically at Mark.

‘Are you sure, Jade?’ Mel asked. ‘You’ve already done more than your fair share today.’

‘Always happy to help out in a crisis,’ Jade assured her. ‘Plus, it will give you two time to catch up.’

‘Looks like we’re outvoted,’ Mark said, as Poppy reached out, clearly quite happy to latch herself onto Jade in lieu of Daddy. ‘Night, Poppet,’ he said, pressing a kiss to her cheek as he passed her over. ‘Sleep tight.’

‘Night, Daddy.’ Poppy waved vaguely in his direction and then leaned back to study Jade’s face as they mounted the stairs. ‘Will you tuck me in, Jade?’ she asked her.

‘But of course.’ Jade nodded reassuringly. ‘I’m an expert tucker-in.’

‘And Bedtime Peppa?’

‘Well Bedtime Peppa might cry if I didn’t,’ Jade answered seriously.

‘And will you check the bug monster’s not there?’

‘It wouldn’t dare come near the place with me around. I’ve got my babysitter’s bug-slayer badge. But, yes, I’ll check anyway, just to make sure he hasn’t snuck in.’

‘I love you, Jade.’ Poppy’s voice drifted affectionately down from the landing.

Mark and Mel swapped amused glances. ‘Looks like I might be surplus to requirements,’ Mark said, loosening his collar as he headed for the lounge to check on Hercules, and actually feeling hugely grateful that Jade had volunteered after the day he’d had.

‘Don’t bank on it.’ Mel pinched his backside as he walked past her, and then yawned widely.

‘I don’t think you’re up to the job, Mrs Cain,’ Mark observed, smiling over his shoulder.

‘I won’t be after a glass of wine, which I think we’ve both earned,’ Mel assured him. ‘In which case, you’ll have to do all the work. But you’ll have to do it quietly.’ She lowered her voice as they walked into the lounge, where Hercules was snoring noisily on the sofa.

‘Hmm?’ Mark considered. ‘Could be an interesting challenge.’