We almost feel like we know her. We have seen her pretty smiling face so many times that it if we saw her in the street, we would probably stroll up and say hello and chat for a while.

Everyone knows who Melanie Hall is and we all have a feeling of hopelessness that this case has gone on for all these years and that we are powerless to take the pain away for her family and friends who knew her best.

This week's arrests bring lots of emotions surging back into our minds.

Her disappearance touched everyone. Parents sympathised, knowing how hard it must be to suddenly have your child disappear from your life like that. Students and youngsters who socialised in the area were suddenly made to feel ultra aware of their own personal safety. No one, it seemed, was unaffected by Steve and Pat Hall's mysterious loss.

Are we all guilty of a sort of gruesome fascination at the news of this week's arrests? Is our interest justified if the mystery is finally solved? Or, does the news bring back a past we had hoped was not real, and had forgotten about?

Bringing these emotions to the surface may act as a reminder that in seven years we may have forgotten to look out for ourselves, our families, and our community.