That put Shauna’s back up. The worst thing was, she feared it was true. But she wanted it to be different. And, over the years, Shauna had got used to having what she wanted. Her parents had never done fuck-all for her, so she’d grown up tough, fending for herself, grabbing everything she could get out of this Romany life but always finding it wanting. She wanted more. She wanted better. And she was bloody well going to get it.

‘I could have him if I wanted,’ she said.

‘Yeah, and there goes one of our pigs, flying over that hedge,’ laughed Rowan.

‘I could,’ insisted Shauna.

‘Bollocks,’ said Ciaran, and the two Cleaver brothers turned away.

2

2

The beauty of the day helped Claire brush Shauna and the Cleavers from her mind. She and Josh trod the path they always followed, crossing the dell and on down past the row of poplars shimmering in the breeze, then between the fields with their fast-greening crops of wheat and barley, and on down to the little church.

The mouldering building was surrounded by an old graveyard, lichen-covered stones standing around like drunks among the overgrown grass which was now studded with pale yellow and sugar-pink primroses.

It was their special place – Josh’s and Claire’s. As children, they had played here. As young teenagers, they had shared their first kiss; and now, as adults, here they were again, talking and laughing together in low whispers, their arms wrapped around each other, Josh so tall and handsome and tough, Claire with her tumbling blonde hair, as lovely as the spring day.

‘Let’s go in,’ said Claire, dragging Josh after her.

Inside, the church was still and peaceful. Claire led the way up to the altar, stepping on ancient stones inscribed with details of the departed. Before the altar she stopped, looking down at the very last one. Polly James, fiancée of William Cody, lay here. The inscription said that she had died of a fever the night before her wedding.

1745–1762

MAY SHE REST ETERNAL

‘Look. That’s the old wedding rhyme,’ said Claire, tracing the words with her toe. ‘Something old, something new . . .’

‘Yeah, I know,’ said Josh, smiling indulgently. She was his angel, sweet and soft-hearted and full of warmth, always championing the underdog. Claire was never loud or pushy, but she had a core of iron and would take shit from no one – not even him. She was strong in her quiet, determined way, and he admired that. He was lucky to have her, and he knew it. ‘I’ve read the damned thing a thousand times.’

‘Don’t swear in church! It’s unlucky.’ Claire stared down at the stone and crossed herself. ‘Poor girl.’

‘Let’s go outside,’ said Josh. ‘It’s fucking cold in here. Catch a chill and I’ll be in no state to fight.’