‘What!’

‘Oh, he didn’t mean to. He fell asleep in our old lounge room and left a candle burning. Woke up to find the room ablaze. Mum and Dad were out at the time, but all us girls were home. Ben came flying up the stairs to warn us, but we couldn’t get down past the fire, so we ended up climbing out of Veronica’s window and over the schoolhouse roof. It took the fire engine nearly an hour to get here, and half the house had burned down by the time they got it under control. We were lucky not to lose everything, but Mum and Dad never really forgave him. They pretty much kicked him out – or should I say they made his life hell from then on, until he’d had enough.’

Grace pictured the elegant room at the back of the house. ‘So the huge dining room with the picture window is part of the refurbishment?’

‘Yes.’

‘And how did you keep in touch with Ben, after he left?’

‘He would write to us. Mum and Dad never mentioned him, but we would tell them bits and pieces about what he was doing. The rift appeared to come from both sides, though I thought Mum might back down now Dad has gone. At least it has jolted Ben into making an effort, even if it is too late with Dad. But I don’t know why he’s come all this way and now seems stuck at the last hurdle, even if Mum should be meeting him halfway. Perhaps he’s just too proud to beg …’

‘Well, I hope they can sort it out.’

Claire finished her tea and stood up. ‘So will you come tonight?’

Grace hedged. ‘It’s a really kind offer, but it’s difficult with Millie …’

‘She can sleep in the lounge, if you like – it’s right next door to the dining room, and we have a baby monitor we can put in there as well. That’s what we did when Veronica’s boys were babies.’

Grace couldn’t think of another reason not to go, and so found herself reluctantly acquiescing. ‘Okay, I’ll come. Thanks.’

‘Great.’ Claire began to pull on her gloves. ‘Come around eight.’

They walked to the door. ‘Good luck with Ben,’ Grace said as she showed Claire out.

‘Thanks.’ Claire paused. ‘He’s fond of you – you and Millie. You’re doing him good. When he talks about you, he smiles – and it makes a change. It’s almost like we have the old Ben back.’

And she walked down the path towards the garden gate without waiting for a reply.

Grace stood in front of the schoolhouse, her hands gripping Millie’s pushchair, summoning up the courage to go in. She was missing Adam terribly tonight. Two years ago they had been standing in Times Square together, after Adam whisked her away to New York as a surprise. They had only been married a few months, and were thinking about trying for a baby sometime in the next year – unaware that Millie would be conceived ahead of schedule a month later. As they had held one another close, wrapped within a crowd of thousands all rejoicing, life was crammed with excitement and opportunity.

Last year she had been in her parents’ villa. Her mum had given her two sleeping pills and she had gone to bed at ten.

She peered up at the forbidding house, the only Christmas decoration a prickly wreath of holly on the door. However, despite her hesitation, she had to admit to herself that spending the evening with Meredith’s family was more appealing than sitting in her fusty old cottage on her own, watching TV. And maybe Ben would come too.

Claire greeted her at the door.

‘Did you speak to Ben?’ Grace asked as she manoeuvred Millie’s pushchair inside.

‘Yes. He didn’t agree to show up, but he heard me out and said he’d think about it,’ Claire confided in a whisper. ‘I reminded him that there’s never going to be a perfect time for this. I’ve told Mum he might be coming – she grimaced and has avoided me since, so I’ve no idea what she makes of it. But that’s Mum for you. All my sisters have seen him already, so there won’t be any big reunions. It’s just him and Mum finally being in the same room together. Keep your fingers crossed for us all, won’t you.’

As she led Grace inside, two small boys ran past, the first one trailing a balloon while the smaller one tried gleefully to catch it.

‘Careful!’ Veronica said, appearing in a doorway and glaring at her children. ‘Sorry, guys, they’ve had too much lemonade today. We’re in for a heap of trouble tonight, I think.’

‘Millie’s asleep,’ Grace said, indicating the pushchair, its hood down.

‘Pop her in here then.’ Veronica opened the door to the lounge. ‘The heating’s on, so it’s nice and warm, and I’ve set the monitor up for you.’

Grace peeped inside. The room was softly lit by a small lamp next to the sofa, and she remembered Annabel sitting there, trying to interview Meredith. She looked at the tall witching post next to the fireplace and thought sadly of her sister – how she wished Annabel were here tonight, cracking jokes and being sarcastic.

Grace wheeled Millie’s pushchair over to one corner, checked her daughter was still asleep, then came out and gently closed the door. The dining room door was ajar, light blazing through the gap, and she followed Claire to join the party.

It was the first time she had seen all of Meredith’s daughters together. Veronica was next to Liza on one of the sofas, talking animatedly while pressing her hand against Liza’s protruding belly. Jenny sat opposite, her eyes on her sisters. The husbands were standing by the picture window, its curtains drawn. Dan wore a thick leather jacket, in contrast to Steve’s polo shirt and smart trousers. They looked unlikely friends, and as Grace watched, Dan said something with a chuckle that made Steve look uneasy. In the corner, three young boys were attempting to play Twister. Last of all, Grace spotted Feathery Jack, seated at the table on his own with a sherry glass in his hand.

Claire had gone to find her mother, and Grace looked around wondering who she should talk to. She was already beginning to regret coming, feeling like the spectre in the room that nobody had noticed.

‘Grace?’

She turned to see Meredith, her face stiff with that familiar veneer of politeness.

‘Hello Meredith, thank you for inviting me.’ She handed over a bottle of wine.

‘You’re welcome.’ Meredith took the gift and forced her smile a little wider. ‘There’s food on the side table, please, help yourself.’

Grace went obediently across to the buffet. As she picked up a plate, she surreptitiously looked back to see Meredith surveying the room. Slowly, her children stopped talking.

‘Well, come and eat,’ Meredith said to them, and they began to get up.

‘Ah’ll turn sixty-nine this year,’ a voice piped up behind Grace. She turned to find Feathery Jack hunched in a chair. His eyes were wide, as though he couldn’t quite believe his own words.

Grace wasn’t sure what she should say in reply. He looked far older. Her parents were already in their sixties, but retirement was rejuvenating them – they could easily be mistaken for Jack’s children.

‘Next year, Jack, you’ll be sixty-nine next year. The New Year hasn’t come yet,’ Claire added as she reappeared next to Grace. She didn’t get a response, nor did she seem to expect one.

‘Ah’s last of the old school,’ Jack added gruffly. ‘Rest gone to meet their maker.’

Grace didn’t know what to say to that. Instead, she began to gather food on her plate, then sat down at the large dining table. The others slowly joined her, and Steve took a seat opposite. ‘So, how are you finding living on the moors, Grace?’

‘I like it,’ Grace replied. ‘But I’ve got a lot to do. I wish I had more time to explore the area.’