It's a living hell for missing Nic's family

PICTURE the scene. It’s this Friday morning and a lovely weekend stretches ahead that you’re looking forward to spending with the family and friends.

Maybe the kids are offplaying or watching sport, possibly your other half is taking the dog for a walk before you go shopping or out for a nice meal together. You might even be meeting your mates later on for a few drinks in town or down the local.

The simple day-to-day stuffof just living your life with those you love.

Then the unimaginable happens. Your child never comes back from that football match, your partner fails to return from their dog walking, that friend simply doesn’t turn up for your night out.

“Just running late,” you tell yourself, reaching for the mobile. Giving them a quick call though, just in case.

Their phone goes to voicemail. You leave a jokey message. And then another one. And then a slightly angry one. They don’t get back though. Weird.

And suddenly those first ice-cold fingers of fear start creeping up your spine.

What if they’ve had an accident? Are they lying somewhere in pain and helpless? You try to dismiss the anxi