Page 87 of Stolen

Or lying.

The photograph itself doesn’t prove anything. I could bemixing up childhood memories with something I wanted to see, something that was never really there. But this will give detectives something tangible to work with. The fact I can prove the logowasreal gives my story credibility on some level, at least.

‘The police should be able to trace the manufacturer of those T-shirts,’ Dad says. ‘Find out who bought them. Oh, love.’

I wasn’t imagining it. ItwasLottie I saw. And for the first time in two years, I have actually done something to help her.

The doorbell rings and I get up from the table. ‘I’ll go,’ I say.

‘It’s probably just Wendy from next door,’ Mum says, already heading into the kitchen. ‘She said she’d drop by to borrow some cinnamon. Tell her I’ll be right there.’

I tuck the photograph into my bag on the console in the hall so that it doesn’t get lost, and open the front door.

‘Hello, Alex,’ Marc says.