Jojo:

My baby was already asleep and safely tucked in his cot when I called Mel for the second time in thirty minutes, knowing that it would have been enough time for her to pick Valerie up and take her to the restaurant.

As usual, she picked up on the first dial. I held my heart in my chest immediately I heard her voice. She did not begin to scream or cry immediately she picked up, I took it as a good sign.

"Mel, what about Valerie? You did not call me, and..."

"It ...