Chapter 263: Saviours, Part 21, Five Years Ago

He sits in an armchair by the fireside, a teapot, cup and saucer and a small jug of milk on the table to his side.

The room is warm and comfortable, homely, with framed photos displayed on a mantle. One is old, monochrome ageing to yellow of a young couple, smiling and arm-in-arm. Another is of a young red-haired girl.

Mr Kalkowski moves slowly, his hair silver and cheeks sunken, but his eyes are bright and dark behind the spectacles.

He takes the cup, sighing with enjoyment as he takes his first sip of morning tea, then unfolds the newspaper, shaking it to settle it to a comfortable reading position.

And as he sees the headline, he goes still.

Child Slavery Scandal - Children's Home Linked to Sex Market

Reports are emerging of the escape of up to eighty children from the Blessingmoors Children’s Home. Speculation is rife that the children were trafficked from countries worldwide and were destined for the sex market and labour gangs….