Apart from Taylors’ farm, the village houses cluster down by the sea. Dew-Springer seeks out any that might need our skills and today leads us here, according to Mam. Door after door closes against us, though most have used Mam’s cures at some point and she saw many of the children into the world. I learn what John endures when he seeks work.

One woman stands back and folds her arms when she sees us. ‘You know that cunning woman from across the river came by not days since, and I’ve all I need from her.’

Mam stiffens, barely breathing, and I feel the fury spark in her. ‘That hag,’ she says. ‘She’s a trickster and a devil besides, her wares are nothing but water and black magic.’

The woman remains unperturbed. ‘Her wares cost me less than yours. So.’

She shuts the door on us, and we move on to be turned away again and again, Mam muttering the whole while about how her rival is no more than a fraud and a dealer of foul doings. I do not point out that she is not beyond the use of a curse when it suits her.

‘No matter,’ she says. ‘We shall set Dew-Springer to act upon her.’

When at last Robert Turner opens his cottage door, we’re called in. We wait in the dim room, where a basket of fish sits in a corner and his boots dry by the fire.

‘It’s Alice,’ he says. ‘She’s taken with a malady and lies a-bed but cannot sleep.’

We follow to where she rests, eyes open wide and fingers clasping at nothing.

I watch as Mam takes in the sight of the woman she once knew. Alice sits up, throws off her blanket and rises to her feet, staggering.

‘What’s she doing in my house?’ She looks wildly from Mam to her husband. ‘Get her out. Leave me be, you sorceress.’ She lunges towards Mam, hand raised, but Mam steps away and Robert clasps Alice, holds her still. She weeps and moans into his shoulder. ‘Can you see it?’ she whispers. ‘It’s here, do you see?’

He shakes his head. ‘You know I cannot, my love. Ruth is here to help you. Lie down and let her go about her work.’

Mam sits on the edge of Alice’s bed, takes her hand. She waits for a moment, silent, looking upon this woman, once her friend, with both compassion and contempt. ‘Tell me,’ she says.