His head jerks towards me, eyes narrow as he studies my face. My heart lurches and I know I shouldn’t have spoken those same words Annie used that day. I should drop my eye so he cannot recognise the wildness that flickers there, but can no longer bring myself to cower before this brute.

He shakes his shoulders out, laughs. ‘Ah, you’re such a innocent, you just cannot fathom their true nature. And you’ll never have to, for none such evil will touch you, I’ll make certain of it. I’ve a mind to walk up the cursed hill and take her to the magistrate myself, watch her dangle from the rope.’

I walk ahead, fighting to control the snarling that overcomes me, the blaze that flares whenever I close my eyes. My head aches by the time we reach the church. Framed by a bright, blue sky and nestling behind a great oak. The sight gives me an unexpected and welcome sense of calm, quieting the fury in me.

The top of the wall is lined with the heads of some creature I do not recognise, carved in stone, with a wide-open mouth and hair surrounding the face. To instil fear, perhaps, at the masterful beings God has at his command, yet I feel nothing but peace, and am glad to step into the hushed gloom. Chase the turmoil from me. Stop the power taking me over.

At first I keep my eyes on those around, lest my true master seek me out in disguise. I recognise most faces; Molly Matthews sits across the aisle, with her parents. Still sickly and red-eyed. I wonder if the parsley brew has played its part. In front of us is Nelly Finch, her clothes loose and face lost its softness since last I saw her. Sam is not here. Phyllis’s mother sits at the back, hands clasped on her knee.

I watch the feet walking down the aisle, for I know should he come for me that would be the only part he could not change. And he may not have me, not now, when I can almost reach out and touch my new life with Daniel. When to be exposed would be to call down disaster upon all I love. Shoes peeking from petticoats, boots under breeches and socks. No hoof. Nothing that makes me think all is not what it seems.

At last I lift my eyes. Seth takes his place, and though I’ve seen him in robes and hat before, he seems now unlike the man I know. He speaks of love and trust, of withholding judgement and obedience to God. I try to catch his eye, search for any hopeful sign that he has good news for us. His words are slow and flat, I see the effort it takes for him to pass them through his lips.

He will be at Mam’s after this.