Daniel paused for a moment, catching breath, gathering courage. All around, the shadowy silhouettes of decaying shacks stood still and silent, where once there had been movement and voices. Plants sprouted through chasms like worms through eye sockets. Who knew what untethered spirits lurked here? He fought the feeling that he was not welcome. This place was not for the living. He glanced at the star-strewn sky and pressed the stone she had given him into his palm.

There were no stray strands of light falling through the gaps in the wall and roof of the Haworth shack and it occurred to him that they might be sleeping. At home the candles would be lit, Father would be sitting at the table drinking ale, thinking Daniel asleep in his bed.

Sarah had not owned a neckerchief. They would not have candles.

He almost lost his nerve, tapped lightly on the door any-way.

No answer at first, and he imagined leaving and heading to the warmth of the farm kitchen. But if he turned back now, he knew he would never come back. He must not be deterred. He beat on the door again with such force that when it swung open he almost fell into the house and the unwelcoming arms of Sarah’s brother.

Daniel steadied himself, a thrill of fear coursing through him at coming face to face with the boy’s black smile. An expression that was intimidating rather than friendly. The lad stepped away, looking Daniel up and down and picking his teeth with the knife he had used to slit the lamb’s throat. Daniel felt himself thrown back for a moment to the fearful, paralysed state of that day. Fought it, and won.

‘What do you want?’ the boy asked.

‘Sarah,’ Daniel said. Pleased that he spoke with his new voice, the sure one, he cleared his throat and clarified. ‘That is, I would like to see her.’

The brother attempted to fill the space with his spindly form, legs apart, arm stretched to doorframe. ‘Surprised to hear that. What dust want with her?’

Daniel remained steadfast. ‘I want to speak with her.’

The boy looked over his shoulder into the house, then stepped aside leaving just enough room for Daniel to squeeze past him, unnaturally and unpleasantly close. He was aware of the brother’s eyes on him, the scrape of blade against tooth.