Wishing I hadn’t said that bit now. Trouble, this is. Trouble for everyone. ‘I promised to stay and see the job finished,’ I say. ‘Agreed to the conditions, yes – no days off for rainy weather, no going home until it’s done. Hard conditions, when a man can’t enjoy a visit for long enough to draw a breath or two before his friend’s whisked away again. But I said I’d do it and I’ll do it. One thing, though. Any harm comes to Mistress Blackthorn, one ill deed, one bad word, and I’m off like a dog after a rabbit. You can keep your payment. I don’t know who she visited today and I don’t much care. She’s a healer. Goes everywhere. Sees everyone who needs her. You think that’s suspicious, you’re out of your mind.’

He doesn’t say a word. Can’t tell what he’s thinking.

‘I’m a good worker,’ I say. ‘I get the job done. I give respect where it’s deserved. I can’t respect a man who lifts a hand against his workers for no good reason. I can’t respect a man who ties up a troubled soul and throws him in a dark cellar, or a man who –’

‘Enough. Spare me the catalogue of misdemeanours. Say whatever it is you want to say.’

‘You won’t like it.’

‘I’m sure I won’t.’ He folds his arms, taps his foot.

‘Got no daughter, myself. Never had one. But if I did, I’d want her to grow up kind and honest and good-hearted. I’d want her to learn that it’s always best to tell the truth. I’d want her to understand that you can’t build your life on lies and secrets. That’s all I’ve got to say.’

There’s a long silence. Then he says, ‘Get out!’ And it’s terrible. Angry and sad both. So even though I despise the man, I feel sorry for him.

I’m opening the door when he says, ‘Stop.’

I halt with my back to him, like a well-trained dog.

‘You’re in deep water, Grim, deeper than a man like you can possibly understand. I don’t know what you and that woman of yours think you’ve discovered, but if she’s been spinning wild stories to my daughter she’ll pay a heavy price, and if you –’