‘Father, I don’t want this to happen.’ Her voice was a whisper. She rocked back and forth on top of a large chest, pushed up against the window. She’d had to be as quiet as a mouse when the police car came. The place was a rabbit warren, and there were plenty of places to hide, if one knew where to go. She’d been still as the trees out in the fields, silent and strong, until the intruders left. They had no right to be here.

It was another missed opportunity to escape. She could have run into the yard, flailing her arms, waving and begging for salvation, but she was more scared of her father than she was of the law. Even though she knew what was going to happen to Jock. She stayed put and made not a sound. The dogs were muzzled and calm, nestled next to her in her den, above the old scullery.

Two policemen had actually nosed around the place, knocking on doors, banging on windows, pulling on locks and shining torches into outhouses. It had taken an interminable amount of time for them to leave and her heart raced. How Father didn’t snap and run at them with a plank of wood was an incredible show of resolve. But then she remembered that he couldn’t, and why.

Finally, the police left, and now Jock was here.

She could see his face inside his car, as he peered back and forth, and she could tell that he was wondering if he’d found the right place. She’d made the call. Father and mother made her do it, or at least that’s what she told herself. Even now they remained in control. It was easy to find someone’s phone number if you knew where to look. He looked worried and she smiled. His face brought back so many memories of warmth and safety. She’d wished for so many years that Jock was her father, instead of her own. She’d punished herself for her deceitful thoughts over and over again.

Father pardoned her.

But she never forgave. Or forgot.

Jock’s car bumped up and down on the gravel path and he pulled up to the main house. She understood why he looked unsure. The place looked deserted; even the police had given up and driven off. She watched him look around and lean against his car. He’d aged. She had been a mere girl the last time she’d seen him.

Her heart lurched and she wanted to scream at him to drive away, but her terror prevented her from saving him. He walked towards the door.