Runaway Girl: A beautiful girl. Trafficked for sex. Is there nowhere to hide?. Casey Watson

      Marley Mae couldn’t have been more excited. And, with her leotard and tutu having arrived when we got back to Lauren’s after our latest park visit, she naturally had to try it on then and there. She looked like a real little ballerina after Adrianna scooped up her curls and fashioned them into a perfect bun on top of her head.

      ‘Now you dance, Ad-i-annie!’ she commanded, once she’d helped her wriggle into her outfit. ‘We’ll do twirling and splits,’ she added helpfully. So it was that when Lauren returned from the kitchen, where she’d made us all drinks, it was to find the four of us – me and Dee Dee having been very much included – being taught a few basic ballet steps.

      Lauren clocked this immediately. ‘You can dance,’ she said to Adrianna as she put the tray down in a sensible, out-of-the-way-of-dancing-toddlers place.

      Adrianna blushed. ‘I know ballet,’ she said shyly.

      ‘So I see,’ Lauren said. ‘You’ve danced a lot?’

      A shadow seemed to cross Adrianna’s face. And, remembering my first impressions about her bearing, I made a mental note of that, too.

      She nodded. ‘I did dance classes. Long time,’ she admitted.

      ‘Well, there’s a turn-up,’ Lauren said. ‘And you know what,’ she added, glancing at me, ‘if Casey’s okay with it, I could always use an extra pair of hands in the studio. If you fancy it, that is.’