Outside I wind back round the path to the village. Despite the overcast day, it is eerily quiet. My gaze flicks around the shops, taking in the changes. The bakery has been replaced by a convenience store. Bistro tables sit empty outside the refurbished café. My stomach growls and I’m about to stride over to get something to eat when the journalist suddenly emerges.

She grins again when she spots me and wanders over, her camera still swinging carelessly from side to side. ‘So what are you actually doing back on the island, Stella Harvey?’

Evergreen Island

10 July 1993

There was a particular day, during the first week of summer, when two occurrences began brewing that would lead to fatal consequences by the end. It’s possible the tracks had already been laid too firmly, but Maria would later consider how her own actions had not helped to divert her family to safety.

She had seen little of Stella, though she didn’t begrudge her spending time with Jill. In fact, she’d insisted her daughter not feel bad about it (even though she would have liked to see more of her) because friendships were important.

Jill had been waiting by the gate for Stella right after breakfast, a rucksack weighing down on her bony shoulders. Maria had given them fruit and cake to pack into their bags and, as she stood in the doorway and watched them running up Pinecliff Walk, she found herself peering a little more closely.

‘What’s up?’ David appeared beside her, making her jump. He kissed her head, slinging an arm over her shoulder. ‘You missing your girl?’

‘A little,’ she admitted, though it wasn’t just that. She’d noticed Jill looked thinner that year. It was easy to spot under the girl’s spaghetti-strap top and the denim shorts she’d also been wearing last summer. Maria shook her head and nestled into her husband. She didn’t want to mention her concerns just yet, but she’d keep an eye on Jill.

What she’d also considered was that she’d have no clue what to do about it even if there were a problem. Ruth Taylor had her head in the sand about almost everything, and the idea of addressing anything so personal to Bob was – well, out of the question.

‘Are you staying for lunch?’ she asked David.

‘I wish. It’s so busy today I shouldn’t even be taking a break, but I couldn’t resist popping back to see my gorgeous family.’

Maria laughed. ‘Well, you’ll have to settle with just me. I’ve no idea where Danny is, but look, Bonnie’s down the end of the garden with Iona.’ She made him stop to watch their oldest child. ‘She looks so carefree,’ she went on, a warm glow spreading through her body.

‘Yes, that’s good,’ David said as he trundled into the house, and the moment was gone.