Eventually I make the decision to drive to Dad’s when I finish work. We need to have a conversation face-to-face, because he’s the only one who can give me the missing jigsaw pieces.

Evergreen Island

23 August 1993

Maria would not give up. Despite Iona’s deflection, she would make it her business to know more about the girl. Even then she knew that finding out what Iona was doing on their island would be paramount to keeping her family safe.

But towards the end of August she was still seeking a glimmer of insight. Her day had started by wandering along the harbour on the mainland, people-watching, looking at the expensive yachts and perusing the shops. She had gone to the mainland alone and been lost in her thoughts when she spotted Iona dipping into a clothes shop on one of the backstreets. She had another girl in tow, but from where she stood Maria couldn’t see who it was. It was funny that her first thought strayed to Bonnie as she wondered what her daughter was doing without her friend.

Despite Danny’s suggestion that Bonnie wasn’t happy in her company, her daughter had slunk into the girl’s shadow again, though the friendship did seem more lopsided than when it had started.

Maria found herself strolling to the shop, creeping into the corner of it, where she hovered, surprised to see Iona having an intense discussion with Tess Carlton. Her hiding, eavesdropping, was a ridiculous charade and if the girls spotted her she’d have to pretend she’d been there all along, but she couldn’t help listening to snatches of their conversation over the music.

‘I’m so glad we’re good friends,’ Iona said, linking her arm through the young girl’s as she yanked clothes on their hangers along the rail. ‘Isn’t it nice to have someone to talk to about everything?’

Maria felt herself bristle as Tess simpered with joy. She’d watched the same gestures sprinkle like confetti over Bonnie.

‘You can tell they haven’t a clue what to do with him,’ Iona went on.

Maria’s hands started to tingle and her cheeks burned. ‘He completely creeps me out, to be honest. I can’t bear the way he looks at me over the table. I feel sorry for Bonnie, I really do, but—’ Iona broke off. ‘I suppose you can’t always choose your family, can you?’ she said boldly.

Maria felt the blood draining from her.

‘It was so funny what happened in the cave, wasn’t it?’ Iona went on.

‘I don’t know, he looked really upset,’ Tess replied.

‘Yes, well,’ Iona brushed her off. ‘I think he deserved to be taught a lesson, though I’m not sure it’s worked. Every time I look around, he’s there, and it always makes me so nervous when I suddenly catch him, like he’s creeping up on me.’