‘You’re saying . . .?’ She’s saying what I’ve been thinking, only I can’t see how it could be.

‘I’m not sure what I’m saying yet. Most likely something that shouldn’t be spoken of here. Grim, what is that rhyme you told me parts of, the one about the birds? It was one of Bardán’s, wasn’t it?’

‘Every birdling in the wood?’

‘That’s it. Do you know all of it?’

‘Heard him sing it all. Can’t remember every part, though. Something about feathers. It’s a charm to keep a child safe.’

‘Could we ask him?’

Bardán’s coming back, the other fellows behind. And we can’t ask, because Gormán appears from the other direction, carrying a bundle of hazel rods I’ve been wanting for the thatching.

‘Cara made herself a talisman, with feathers.’ Blackthorn talks fast, in a murmur. ‘Nine different kinds. She went through the list, starling, woodcock, owl –’

‘Mistress Blackthorn?’ Gormán says, cutting her off. ‘My name is Gormán. I’m the head forester here. I’m heading over to Longwater now, so I’ll escort you. One of the lads is fetching your horse.’

I see her wanting to say, No, thank you, I’m fine on my own, then deciding not to. Though if she thinks she’ll get anything useful out of Gormán she’s dreaming. Me, I’m happy she won’t be doing the ride on her own. That would make her cross, if she knew. Gormán must have been down at the house, talking to Tóla. I bet the master asked him to make sure she didn’t stay too long.

Lots of things I want to say to her but I can’t, not with him right there and the others close by now, within earshot. Be safe. Come back soon. I miss you. And more. Can’t say any of it. Just wasted all that time talking about wretched Bardán and Cara and the whole sorry mess.

‘I’d better go,’ she says. ‘I have a few folk to see in Longwater, not only Fann.’ Which might be a way of telling me she’s going to talk to folk about what happened fifteen years ago, and whether Tóla really is a liar. Good luck to her. Be like getting blood out of a stone. If they’ve kept a secret all this time they’re hardly going to open up now.

‘Tell the other fellows down there I’ll drop in and see them some time,’ I say. ‘When the build’s finished. And ride safe.’

‘Look after yourself, big man.’

‘You too, Lady.’

She doesn’t take my hand this time. Just looks at me, and I look back, and then she turns away and she’s gone.