He slapped Daniel on the back, too hard so that it was all Daniel could do to keep his footing, and together they went into the hall and knelt before the fireplace. They had the job of pulling the rope until the branch came down the chimney, bringing the year’s ash. Daniel tugged with all his strength, his two hands to Gabriel’s one as he scratched the ghost of his pox with the other, and yet they were equal in strength. At last the holly scraped through, and a gritty cloud of soot with it.

‘Have a care, lads, the whole place is filthy now,’ Father barked. The spring clean always curdled his mood. ‘Your mother always ran this thing so smooth. And in such good cheer.’

They stood silent, all eyes on Father. Blood trickled from his nose and he wiped it with the back of his hand, staring at the stain it left. Daniel tried to keep the pity from his eyes, for he knew Father could not abide it.

Father glared back. ‘And stop scratching, Gabriel. Have you shook off this little girl’s feeble curse or not?’

Gabriel removed his hand from his head, flushing. ‘Aye, I’ve shook it off, ’tis a different itch that ails me now.’

Father snorted. Gabriel’s colour deepened.

‘But it vexes me, for she might pick a softer soul next time.’

Daniel shifted. Afraid now of where Gabriel’s thoughts were leading. Afraid that there was truth to what he spoke.

‘And that Haworth lad, he’s more demon than boy anyhow. And still unpunished for what he did to Sam, and all because of your meddling.’ He turned, shoving his angry face so close that Daniel flinched.

Pointedly, Bett swept at the pile of soot by Father’s feet.

‘Watch yourself, woman,’ Father said.

The broom beat the floor with greater force, lifting clouds of soot.

‘I’ve a mind to call some folks together, in the tavern tonight,’ Gabriel said. ‘And we’ll end the job you stopped us from finishing last time.’

Daniel’s soot-coated throat parched further. He could not speak, and yet he must, had to find a way to stop Gabriel and his vengeance on Sarah and her family. He opened his mouth. Nothing.

‘Keep your head, fool,’ Father said. ‘Now is not the time to go causing trouble for yourself with a new magistrate looking to make his mark.’

Relief spilled through Daniel. This was an argument Gabriel would listen to.

‘And you’ll need to mind yourself. All this brawling in the tavern might draw his eye to you. That will be when you remember the Haworths, eh?’ Father tapped his nose. ‘You might need them around, so if attention’s drawn to you then you can tell you’ve been cursed and can’t be helped. New magistrate might surely want to find out more about their doings and forget yours. Eh?’