The policeman behind the desk listened politely to what they had to say and then said, "But I don't know what you want us to do. I mean, she's a grown woman, isn't she? If she decides not to come back from holiday there's not a lot we can do about it, is there?"

"But that's just it,"Alison said, tears of frustration in her eyes, "She didn't decide. Something has happened to her."

"With all due respect, Miss -"

Alison sighed. Any sentence beginning with all due respect ...