Her smile was sudden and bright. Surely there could be no deceit in it. ‘Come on, Annie,’ she said. ‘Come, sken.’

The child paddled in, petticoat dangling in the water.

‘Here,’ Daniel said, crouching, reaching down to the muddy bed. ‘Look.’

As he cupped his hand and caught the fish she came closer, bending so that her hair spread and floated in the gentle sway. He opened his palm and showed her the creature as it jerked and twisted.

‘You found one,’ she said. ‘Is it a moon fish?’

He laughed. ‘It’s – well yes. As good a name as any. We have to put it back now. Help me find another? Look closely.’

She turned slowly, hands and arms in the river, face almost touching the surface. Daniel looked at the girl, standing behind the child.

‘Her hair’s already wet,’ he said.

She began to cup water and pour it over her sister’s hair. The child frowned and batted the girl away.

‘There’s one,’ Daniel said. ‘See? Want to hold it?’

The child spat out the rivulets that trickled down her face and held her hands out. Daniel gave her the fish, smiling as she gasped. She could not have looked happier if he’d filled her arms with honey cake.

‘Done?’ he asked the sister. She nodded. He took the child’s hands and placed them in the water so that the fish was freed. She was shivering now.

‘Well,’ he said. ‘Enough for today perhaps?’ He pinched her chin softly.

They waded out, the girls holding hands, legs shining wet. Ragged clothes fanning out in the water, damp matted hair gleaming in the sun. Beautiful wretches. Daniel retrieved his boots and socks.

The girl jerked her hand out towards him, a pebble resting on her palm. ‘To thank you,’ she said.

He took it from her, studying the smooth grey stone, still wet from the river.

‘Mammy will be cross,’ the child whispered, gasping.

‘Not if we don’t tell.’

‘Oh that’s nice,’ he said. ‘With the hole in.’

She looked at him as though he was an idiot. ‘Aye, it’s a hag stone. Brings protection from curses and such, haven’t you one on the farm to keep the milk from souring?’

He shook his head. ‘My father does not hold with—’

The child hopped from foot to foot. ‘And if you look through the hole you might see a fairy, or put it in the river and see a water sprite.’

Daniel turned the stone in his hand. ‘A great gift. I shall treasure it.’

‘Aye,’ the girl said. ‘You should.’ She shook the child’s arm gently. ‘What dust say to the lad?’

‘Daniel,’ he said.

The child had her thumb in her mouth. ‘Thank you,’ she said around it, then looked up at her sister. ‘But I didn’t get the whispering shell.’

He laughed. ‘Another time.’ He began walking away, then turned back. ‘What’s your name?’