When the call came through, I couldn’t believe it.
‘It’s the police,’ said Kate. ‘They have Tom. Lizzie took him to a different ferry port. Scrabster. My manager, Tessa, worked it out. She’s been up all night going over all the London records. And this morning, she shouted at the ferry company until they gave her Lizzie’s travel details.’
I said, ‘Are you sure?’
‘Am I sure that my manager could bully a ferry company into divulging confidential information?’ Kate replied. ‘Positive. We need to get to Scrabster now. They’re waiting for us.’
Everything after that was a blur.
One of the ferry terminal men must have filled the tank with petrol, because Kate drove us there in my van. Totally illegal, of course, Kate driving uninsured, but I think she made a judgement call – I was in no fit state.
On the way, paranoia took over. This was all a ploy to arrest me again. Lizzie would be at the port, pretending to be afraid, garnering everyone’s sympathy.
But now he’s here. Tom is here.
I’m running, tarmac rushing under my feet.
My son.
My boy.
Tom is tiny, walking beside a short, female police officer. He looks tired. Frightened. But he’s safe.
I’m blubbing like an idiot.
‘Tommo. Tommo.’ Now I’m on my knees, pulling him into my arms, clutching him tight. ‘I never stopped looking, Tom. I never gave up. We’ll always be together now, Tommo. Always.’
We’re both crying now. Sadness for time lost. But also relief. Happiness. Smiling through the tears.
‘I didn’t know, Tom,’ I tell him. ‘I didn’t know what she was doing. I fought tooth and nail to get you back. They didn’t believe me. I never stopped looking.’
Tom’s crying too. ‘I’m sorry, Dad. I’m sorry for what I said.’
‘It doesn’t matter.’ I shake my head. ‘She did the same thing to me. Told me things until I believed her. I’ve been searching for you every minute, Tom. I would have done anything to get you back. Smash down doors. Kidnap you. Anything. I was about to jump into the water and swim to the Shetland Islands.’
‘Steady on,’ says the tall policeman. ‘Let’s not champion law-breaking.’
I lift Tom into my arms, drawing myself to full height. ‘When your child is stolen by an abusive partner and everyone says you’re the crazy one, you tell me what you’d want to do.’
‘He’s got a point there, Darren,’ the policewoman says.