“OK,” said DCI Bryant. He was standing by his police car, outside Amy’s house. “Thanks for all the information. We’ve put out an APB, and—”

“Oooh, APB! Oooh, hello, Kojak!” said Norma. “You’re going to put out a Code Red as well?”

“Watch out, Colombo!” said Colin.

“What are they saying now, sir?” said PC Middleton.

“They are referring to old television detectives, Middleton. As a way of making fun of me,” said DCI Bryant wearily.

“I see. How do you spell ‘Colomb—’”

“Don’t write it down.”

“Are you going to give us a quick CSI as well?” said Colin.

“Ha ha ha, CSI!” said Norma.

“I’ll be giving you an ASBO in a minute …”

That did, in fact quieten Colin and Norma down very quickly.

“Thank you.” Then, to PC Middleton, over some whispering from them, “It means ‘Anti-Social Behaviour Order’.” He turned back to the parents. “APB, meanwhile, means ‘All Police Bulletin’. I’ve sent the picture of the vehicle to our central computer. Which means, in turn, that it will be sent to all police cars presently on the main roads between here and Scotland. So as soon as they are spotted, which I’m sure won’t be long, this will all be over.”

He sounded very reassuring. Although the parents didn’t look very reassured.

“Right. And what should we do?” said Suzi.

“Well …” said DCI Bryant, “just wait in your homes. We will inform you as soon as your children are apprehended.”

And with that, they got in the car and drove off.

Suzi looked round.

“Are we going to do that? Stay in our homes and just wait? Or are we going to get in my car and look for them ourselves?”

“We are!” said Prisha.

“Er …” said Sanjay. “Shouldn’t we do what the policeman says and—” And then following a very steely glance from his wife: “No, of course. Yes. We are.”

“BRING IT ON!” said Norma.

“What, the ASBO?” said Colin.