She breezes past me and eventually I remember to follow. Shoving my hands in my pockets I walk up, keeping my eyes on May as Sam lowers her into a camp chair he’s set up. Once she’s comfortable he busies himself getting a billy on the go. It’s kind of awkward and words stick in my throat; never a problem with Rhi.

‘Hey, you mob, anythin bitin?’

May smiles. ‘Not on the fishin line; although somethin’s bitin him on the arse.’ She tips her chin at Sam.

‘Yeah, this one too.’ Rhi copies the tip, aiming it in my direction.

My finger goes up before I think about it, then I blush as the old aunty looks at me. She stares till I drop my eyes.

‘Hrmm, so ya came then. Nephew said ya wouldn’t, but I know ya been seein her still, ay?’

I wrap my arms around my middle and move closer to the fire, despite the heat. I nod. ‘Bad nightmares, real bad.’

Rhi shoots me a concerned look and settles down by the fire. We know how to listen, us mob.

May nods again and stares into the flames. ‘They won’t let er go, not easy way. Ya find her soon and make them or they’ll keep er.’

I gulp past my heart. ‘Who’s got er?’

‘No good to name that ere, girl.’

‘Then how’m I sposed to find her?’ My frustration flies out of me and I feel Sam’s glare amp up. Right, don’t yell around the crazy lady.

The old lady gives me a long look. The light flickers in her cataracts, reminding me eerily of a cat’s. ‘Don’t be stupid, girl. Ya grandmother taught ya better, I know she did.’

I’ve had about enough of this.

‘Look, either ya know who’s got er or ya don’t, but ya gotta stop the vague warnings. I need to be out there lookin for my sister!’

Those old eyes watch me in disgust. ‘Forgot it all, didja? She’s not been gone that long. Poor old thing.’

Rhi’s head tilts to the side. ‘You knew Nan?’

‘We were best friends once, me and her. Don’t they teach you kids nuthin?’

‘But … you’re a Miller.’ Rhi’s confusion mirrors mine, even Sam’s.

‘Ahh, that old bullshit. It never bothered us none, but she was there when they took me, hid like I told er to. Then my dear old dad …’ She seems to gasp past that point, like I’ve seen Pop do when forced to talk about Nan. ‘She got blamed cos I got grabbed and she didn’t. Cos she was alive and whole, and me and Dad weren’t. People do and say stupid things when they’re grievin and I was too lost in darkness to help er.’