Young Sam Tyler had been caught sneaking into Greater Manchester Police CID, here's what happened when Gene Hunt's old man took him back home.
18th February 1974
"Mum!"
Sam stared stock still, feeling the blood drain from his face.
"There's my little guy!" Ruth exclaimed. "Were you a good boy for your Auntie?"
"Yes," said little Sammy against his mother's stomach.
"Good. Now run upstairs and tidy up that floor like you promised me you would; your Aunt, the detectives, and I have some grown-up stuff to discuss."
Little Sammy suddenly turned, his eyes big and excited as he stared up at DI Tyler and DCI Stephen Hunt. "You're real, live detectives? That's so cool!"
"Now, young man," Ruth stressed her orders to him. "Go."
"Aww!" little Sammy pouted, but did as he was told. DCI Stephen Hunt looked at the boy.
"Sam?" said Ruth, shaking his shoulder. "Are you all right?"
He snapped out of it when she repeated his name two more times, but even then he was still in some shock when he looked at her. "Huh? Oh, uh… yeah, I'm… fine. Really, I'm good…"
Ruth sighed. "I'll put on the kettle. Then, Heather, you have some explaining to do about why you brought back Sammy before I told you it was safe."
Little Sammy ran down the stairs and came into the kitchen.
"Mum, are you okay?"
"Mummy will be just fine, sweetheart," Ruth cooed, running her fingertips through his hair. "I just need a check-up."