FLUTTERING in the breeze, a card adorned with butterflies simply read: "A beautiful little girl taken from this world too young".
It was a message that encapsulated the feelings of an entire community in Bestwood Park.
The card, tucked inside a bunch of pink carnations, was left outside the terraced house where a seven-year-old girl died – the victim of an alleged murder.
On Friday it was a stark but poignant reminder of the devastating events of the day before.
Police had arrived on Beckhampton Road at just after 5am on Thursday, after concerns were raised for the child.
Hours later the little girl's body was taken from the house.
A 23-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of her murder and a 47-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault. On Friday this was upgraded so he is also now being held on suspicion of murder.
Detectives have been given more time to question the pair.
Speaking to the Post on Friday, many residents in Bestwood Park said it would take a long time for the community to come to terms with the tragedy.
Lisa Meyrick, 47, who lives on Beckhampton Road, wept as she spoke of the tragedy.
She said: "I find the whole situation devastating. My husband and I barely slept last night.
"I saw all the commotion when the police and the ambulances arrived in the morning, and all day I was praying it wasn't anything to do with the little girl. I was heartbroken when I found out it was.
"We are a week into the school holidays and that little girl deserves to be outside playing in the sunshine without a care in the world.
"This has upset the whole community tremendously."
Many neighbours said they had sometimes seen the little girl out and about after she moved to the street about two years ago.
One said he thought she may have been a pupil at Burford Primary School on Oxclose Lane.
Paul Watson, 47, who lives just a few doors down from the scene, said: "It's really sad. We used to see the little girl walking past our house on the way to school. She was always very smart.
"I was up when the first police cars arrived, and at the time I didn't think it would be to do with the little girl. It was horrible when we found out what had happened."
Kathy Charles, who works at TJ News newsagents on Beckhampton Road, said the tragedy had been the talk of the community.
She said: "Everyone has been talking about it and everyone's devastated.
"The little girl used to come in the shop – I'd see her about three or four times a week. She was a very bubbly little girl."
Mick Marshall, 51, who lives on nearby Monroe Walk, added: "It's very sad. At seven years old she's had no life.
"We've had our time as we're adults, but she had her whole life to look forward to. It's a horrible feeling and it breaks my heart to think about it."
The police cordon remained in place on Friday and two police community support officers stood guard.
Forensic teams could be seen going in and out of the house during the day.
Outside, flowers and several teddy bears were pinned to the garden railings, many paying tribute to a "little angel".
The butterfly card, signed Jess, read: "A beautiful little girl taken from this world too young. May these butterflies carry you safely to heaven where you can sleep with the angels, and what a beautiful angel you will make."
A spokesman for Nottinghamshire Police said: "Police have been given more time to question a man and a woman arrested following the death of a seven-year-old girl. Both remain in custody pending further investigation."
A post-mortem examination was due to take place on Friday.
