(The audio begins with a low whispering, which soon clears. There is the sound of a door being closed. Someone coughs softly and a woman is heard apologising.)

Saskia: Are you okay to begin now, Mrs Austen? We can wait if you need time...

Marie Austen: No, no, it's fine. Please. Begin.

(Marie Austen is well-spoken, but her voice often breaks throughout the interview, and she often seems on the verge of tears. Chief Inspector Austen is the complete opposite. His voice is firm and authoritative. It's clear he likes to be the one in charge and seeks to control the interview through his position as Chief Inspector.)

Saskia: (clears throat) Right. Great, thank you. (When she speaks again, her voice is firmer, clearer.) Okay. Well, for the benefit of the recording, this is Saskia Jones, blogger, and podcaster and today, I'm here with Amelia's parents: Chief Inspector Marcus Austen and Marie Austen. First off, I'd like to thank you both for agreeing to meet with me. I appreciate that talking about your daughter's disappearance must be incredibly difficult.

Marcus: And yet, here you are turning our own personal tragedy into a podcast for hits and likes.

Marie: Marcus, please, we agreed...

Marcus: (his tone softens) Yes, yes, I know... sorry. (Sighs) Miss Jones, I promised my wife that I would agree to this at her request, and we will do our best to answer your questions, within reason, however I want to make it clear that we are only here because you and your podcast have made it impossible for us as a family to continue our grief in silence. Since your first episode was aired, the intrusion into our lives – or more importantly into my wife's and daughter's lives – has been intolerable. We are here to have our say and then we wish this matter to be closed so it can be dealt with in private. I hope that you, and your listeners, will respect that.

Saskia: Chief Inspector, I want it on record here that this podcast was never intended to cause distress...

Marcus: And yet it has. People do terrible things with the best intentions, Miss Jones. I know that more than anyone. I have seen the worst of crimes committed by people claiming to have the best intentions. The truth is rarely how they perceive it in their own twisted imaginings.

Saskia: I can assure you that is the only thing I seek here. The truth. I've got no desire to stir up terrible memories or cause trouble for you or your family, but when I received that email, you have to understand that I could not ignore it.

Marcus: Of course not, but we are talking about a missing person case here. The email should have been reported to the police, not cast out onto social media for all to revel in Amelia's disappearance. A missing person isn't fodder for so-called social media stars. I appreciate the public have an interest in these true crime shows and whatnot, but this is not just about a random girl who has gone missing. This is our daughter and I refuse to play along with the online trolls and those who want to turn this into a media frenzy for their own entertainment.

Saskia: Sure, I get that. And I appreciate how this must seem, but as I said, I'm only interested in the truth. I'm only interested in finding Amelia. I believe that she deserves a voice in all of this. As difficult as it is to recognise the truth, I believe strongly that she was in danger.

Marie: (her voice breaking) Yes. Yes she was.

Saskia: (surprised) So, you agree, Mrs Austen? You also believe that Amelia was in danger?

Marie: Of course, she was. From herself.

Marcus: Miss Jones, let me state this very clearly. As much as it pains us to admit the truth, Amelia was an incredibly troubled young lady. She had a full psychotic break. Can you even possibly imagine what that must be like for a seventeen-year-old girl? What it must be like for those that loved her?

Saskia: Well... I understand what it Is to have mental health issues. I've suffered from anxiety for a long time.

Marcus: (scoffs) Anxiety?

Saskia: Yes. Anxiety. And... I understand a little of what it's like to be frightened of... (she pauses). Well, let's just say, I understand. But a psychotic break? No. I can't say I know what it's like to be as terrified as Amelia must have been. And likewise, I can't imagine how it must be for you all. But, I'd like to know, if you're willing to tell me.

(There's silence on the audio, followed by a faint hissing sound.)

Saskia: Could we start by you telling me a little about Amelia? What was she like?

Marie: She was... like any other teenager, I suppose. She was into music. She and her friends all liked this boy band, that Korean one. She used to cover her bedroom walls in posters. We always had to tell her she was damaging the paintwork with the blue tack and Sellotape. She had a lot of friends, always coming around and knocking on the door for her. She got on well at school. At least, she did, before... Excuse me (Marie stops to take a sip of water). Everyone used to say how friendly she was. How she was always smiling. That was Amelia. Always smiling. (Her tone changes, something bitter creeps into her voice.) And then she joined that photography club at school, and everything changed.

Saskia: In what way?

Marie: She grew obsessed. Never went anywhere without that blasted camera. Cost a small fortune too, I can tell you, didn't it, Marcus?

Marcus: Yes. It was too much really, for someone of her age. Young people don't understand the cost of things. They get it all handed to them on a plate these days and think they're entitled to everything. I said no, initially. But she begged and pleaded with Marie...

Marie: And I said okay, but that she would have to help earn it. She began working weekends at the Church, helping Reverend Wallis with the young ones at Sunday School, helping clean up after services, that type of thing.

Saskia: Oh, I wasn't aware that Amelia was religious?

Marie: Oh yes. Amelia loved helping out there. The Reverend is such a wonderful man. Amelia was always so enthralled by his teachings. He was quite broken by what happened. Especially after what she did. He was so shaken up, the poor man. Kept saying that he should have done more. That he should have helped her, but how could he have known?

Saskia: Sorry, I don't understand. Known what? What did Amelia do?

(There's another silence. Static buzzes furiously for a few seconds and then stops.)

Marcus: Look, I don't think this is something we need to delve into. It was dealt with.

Saskia: What was dealt with? Chief Inspector, I appreciate that it's difficult and upsetting for you to talk about particular details, but it helps form a full picture.

Marcus: Miss Jones, you don't need to explain that to me. And as for the full picture, as you say, I am very aware of what that was, as is my wife.

Marie: Marcus, dear, please... perhaps it would help? Perhaps people will understand and drop this once and for all.

Marcus: (pauses, he's annoyed, his tone is sharp) Okay. Fine.

Marie: It was after Amelia joined that photography club. Like I said, she never went anywhere without her camera. She started taking pictures at the Church, for the newsletter. I remember the first time they featured her photos; she was so happy. But then... when things started to change, when she started to change, well, I know how it sounds, but honestly, we didn't think anything of it at first. I mean, you don't, do you? You just think it's some teenage fad. Some mad little obsession which will be gone within a month. That's what it's like, isn't it? Of course, the school told us that she'd been acting... differently. Hanging around by herself, instead of with her friends and taking pictures all the blasted time. But we just thought it was a phase.

Saskia: So, are you saying that Amelia became more withdrawn?

Marie: Yes, withdrawn. That's it.

Saskia: But she was still helping out at the Church?

Marie: Yes, but admittedly, she seemed somewhat reluctant. In fact, some weekends it was a real battle to get her there.

Saskia: Did she say why?

Marie: Well, we just assumed she wanted to muck around with her camera. That's all she seemed to care about. And when she wasn't taking photos, she was spending her time reading up on photography. She had one book in particularly that she read religiously.

Saskia: Hashtag Authentic?

Marie: (uncertain) Um... yes. I think so. Anyway, she often didn't want to go, but we insisted. I mean, it wasn't right that she had become so obsessed by the photography thing. The weekend it happened, well, we'd had a bit of a row if truth be told. She had refused to go, kept going on about how it was a bad place, and I was so upset. How could she say such a thing? So, I made sure to drive her there myself and she sulked all the way and completely refused to speak to me other than to say she felt sick. I mean, she did look a little pale, but I know the tricks and wasn't about to let her fool me. (Marie's voice breaks and she sounds like she's crying now.) Of course, now I wish I hadn't been so bloody minded. Maybe if I'd let her stay at home it would never have happened.

Marcus: It was not your fault. We've talked about this. The accountability was Amelia's and Amelia's alone.

Marie: I know but look what she did to that poor man! (sobs now, we can hear Marie blowing her nose).Apparently, Amelia was being... difficult. She wouldn't speak to Reverend Wallis. Refused to even look at him. All he wanted to do was help her. He tried and tried to get through to her. It was after the service and Amelia was meant to collect all the hymn books – this was when the Church had hymn books, these days its words on the big screen, terrible really – but she was behaving in a very odd manner. The Reverend said that she kept looking around, as if she thought someone was there, he even said – didn't he, dear? – that her head kept making these little jerky movements and she seemed to be talking to herself. He asked her if she would amend the hymn board and put up the numbers for the hymns for the next service and that's when Amelia really flipped out.

Saskia: Flipped out... how?

Marie: I don't know really. It's all so bizarre. The Reverend asked her to put the numbers on the board. 444: May God's Blessing Surround You Each Day. A beautiful hymn...

Saskia: Wait, did you say 444?

Marie: Why, yes. Well, we can't explain what happened, but Amelia had what Dr. Kinghorne called, an episode. Poor Reverend Wallis. That poor, poor man. (she breaks into sobs again.)

Saskia: What kind of episode? What did Amelia do?

Marcus: She assaulted him, Miss Jones. Completely unprovoked, I might add. He said she was like a wild animal, scratching at his face and pulling his hair. She took a handful out by the roots. He was lucky she didn't do more damage. She was lucky that he didn't want to press charges.

Saskia: And if he had wanted to? What would you have done, Chief Inspector? I mean, this was your daughter.

Marcus: If you are insinuating that I would have had attempted in any way to block a criminal investigation, you are wrong. Amelia might have been my daughter, but that does not mean she was above the law. If Reverend Wallis had wanted to take the matter further, then I would have done my duty and ensured that my colleagues followed it up. As it happens, the Reverend said it was a matter for the family only. He did not wish to distress Amelia any further. In fact, it was he who recommended Collindale and the child psychologist, Dr. Kinghorne.

Saskia: The Reverend was acquainted with Edward Kinghorne?

Marie: Yes, he was an old family friend, I believe.

Saskia: Right. Well, that's not something I expected to hear.

Marie: What do you mean?

Saskia: Mrs Austen, do you not think it odd that Amelia attacked both Reverend Wallis and Dr. Kinghorne – two men, who happened to already be friends? Doesn't that strike you as too much of a coincidence?

Marcus: (tersely) Absolutely not. Both men are exemplary in their respective callings. We were fortunate that the Reverend was willing to recommend such a wonderful Doctor.

Saskia: Amelia didn't think he was so wonderful. Nor do other patients who were admitted to Collindale at the same time.

Marcus: I assume you mean Matthew Burgess? Whatever he has told you, you can disregard it, Miss Jones. That boy caused us nothing but trouble after Amelia disappeared. Showing up at the house. Harassing my wife.

Saskia: He harassed you, Mrs Austen?

Marcus: Yes, he did. As if that boy knew our daughter better than we did! The lies he told. The terrible things he told us about Amelia. Ridiculous stories straight out of the twisted mind of a very sick young man. Why on Earth do you think he was in Collindale in the first place? Did he bother to tell you that?

Saskia: (hesitates) Well, no... and it wasn't my place to ask.

Marcus: Well, maybe you should have, Miss Jones and then you would not be bothering us with your incessant questions and this podcast of yours would have stopped before it had barely begun. Matthew Burgess is a compulsive liar, who accused his poor family of all sorts of despicable behaviour. When he didn't get the attention he craved from all his lies, he committed arson and set fire to their home. They were fortunate to get out alive.

Saskia: How do you know he lied about them?

Marcus: Because it was proven in court, that is why. Trust me, it all came out. If you check the reports and the court records, you will see that for yourself. But of course, I appreciate that does not fit the narrative you are trying to create here.

Saskia: Chief Inspector, I am not trying to create any narrative. I'm merely...

Marcus: Delving into our trauma in order to gain popularity online when you should be concentrating on getting a real job that doesn't involve plastering our grief over the internet and upsetting my family by goading your followers into pointing the finger of blame against us.

Saskia: (her voice rises, sounding agitated) That is absolutely not what I am doing. I can't control what my listeners think or do. Chief Inspector, I am only interested in Amelia's story. You said yourself that she had a full psychotic break, but I can't help but think it odd that there is a connection between two people who were trying to help her and that for some reason, she became distressed around both of them which led to her violent episodes. Also, there's the fact that Amelia's disappearance was not covered in the national press, when everything about the case and everything about Amelia herself – including who her father was – should have meant that it received more attention than it did. It might even have helped find her. You must know that the more press attention a case receives, the more likely it is that the public can help? And then there's the reports I've received from at least two sources that you yourself would not be happy about my interest in this case. Why would that be, Chief Inspector?

Marie: Oh, Marcus... (sobbing loudly now).

Marcus: (clearly angry) Right. I think that is more than enough, Miss Jones. We agreed to meet you in good faith. We agreed because we thought that there might be a small possibility that you would be willing to listen and to put a stop to all of this, but it is quite evident that you intended no such thing. Ghouls like you want nothing but a sensational story for your desperate, greedy followers. You feed on grief and trauma. You care not one bit for the damage you cause as long as you gain another million followers. You leave devastation in your wake and rip grieving families apart all for likes, so that, for once in your miserable, grasping life, youcan feel important. This has nothing to do with Amelia. This is all about you. You are nothing but a vulture and I shan't make my wife endure one more minute of this circus!

(The audio picks up the sound of chairs scraping on the floor).

Saskia: You couldn't have this more wrong! I didn't want to upset anyone! There was something wrong with Amelia, something terrible that no one wants to hear. I've seen the photograph, Chief Inspector. The photograph that supposedly Amelia herself sent me. Did you check the IP address like you said you would? Did it come from Amelia's computer?

Marcus: Whoever sent you that email was not my daughter.

Saskia: What does that mean?

Marcus: Miss Jones, my daughter is gone.

Saskia: But not dead.

Marcus: What?

Saskia: She's still technically a missing person. A missing person that you talk about like she's dead. A missing person who believed she was in danger. I've seen the photograph, Chief Inspector. I've seen it!

Marcus: And if you are fooled by it, you are just as gullible as all those she duped into believing her. It was sensational trickery, nothing more. Camera tricks and photoshopping to make people believe in her ludicrous stories. They were all at it in that photography club of hers. Just another attempt to get attention. Amelia was sick, Miss Jones. Terribly, terribly sick. There was no sinister force involved. No bogeyman. No monsters. And certainly no...

(The audio cuts out again, replaced by a loud hissing. Under the static, a voice can be heard, muffled, repeating the same unintelligible thing over and over.)

(A door slams, then opens again moments after.)

Saskia: (shouting) Chief Inspector? Mrs Austen? Please come back... please... listen to Amelia! She wasn't making it up... she wasn't.... please believe her!

(There is a long silence. Someone whispers, but it is difficult to make out whether it is Saskia.)

(Saskia gasps. There's a loud bang and we can hear Saskia breathing hard.)

Saskia: (whimpers) I believe her. I believe. 

(Audio ends.)