The moment of shock and doubt this caused in Father was enough for Daniel to step forward and push the fist to his side. Daniel leaned in until he could see the yellowed film in Father’s eyes. ‘Ever,’ he said.

When the door swung closed behind him, Father still stood, arms hanging limp, head bowed.

A Trail in the Night

I have come at last to the beck, unable to keep away, wondering whether I will find the hag stone hanging in the tree, promising myself I will leave again either way.

It is here, and I wonder how long ago Daniel left it, whether he will still seek me out after I ran from him. I hold it now, feel it grow warm in my hand as I look out over the water.

There are footsteps behind me, too fast and light to be Daniel’s, and I spin around, ready to flee. The little figure runs towards me, giggling, hair flying.

‘Annie, what are you doing?’

‘I followed you.’

I glance around. No sign of Daniel. ‘You can’t be here, go home.’

Her mouth droops and she hangs her head. ‘But I want to be with you.’

I sigh. He will probably not come anyway. ‘We’ll go together. But don’t follow—’

‘Oh,’ Daniel says, appearing from the trees. ‘You’re both here.’ There is a bruise on his face. I can’t ask what happened in front of Annie. He carries the neckerchief again. Bold.

‘I – she just …’ I shrug. Curse Annie and her sneaking.

‘No matter,’ he says.

‘Can we find a moon fish?’ Annie asks.

I pass Daniel the stone. ‘No,’ I say.

‘A whispering shell? Please?’ Knowing I am a lost cause she runs up to Daniel, tugging on his clothes and badgering about the shell. I’ve only ever seen her like this with John.

‘She seems to think you’re her brother,’ I say, before I realise what meaning he might take from it. His smile caves in and he shoots me a look I cannot fathom, then turns to Annie.

‘Do you know, I’ve made a mistake?’ he says, glancing along the riverbank while she bunches his tunic in her fists and swings around. A mistake in coming, then. My stomach sickens. I’m about to yank Annie from him and take her home when he says, ‘We won’t find a whispering shell here, we need to go to the sea for that.’

I still myself. Annie stops swinging, keeping hold of him, biting her lip and frowning. ‘I don’t like the sea.’

‘Then I will fetch one and bring it to you another day.’

I watch as he ruffles her hair and she stares up as though he is an angel.

‘I like the woods,’ she says. ‘Because I was growed there.’

He glances at me. ‘Grown?’