She followed him into the kitchen and sat. He set about brewing a pot of tea and she continued living in hope.

‘Did you see yer one Cynthia draped all over Tom again.’ Robbie shook his head, in an approximation of judgement that sounded like envy.

‘I did. I feel for Susie.’ Mary didn’t like gossiping about their friends, but she wasn’t above joining Robbie in his favourite pastime if it meant keeping him onside.

Robbie had his back to her, pouring boiling water into the teapot. ‘I tell you, Ines is a brave woman, leaving her husband with Cynthia while she goes off to Spain.’

‘If Della’s to be believed, it’s Ines who’s to be watched!’ Mary said, hating herself for stooping to his level but needing the peace it tended to bring.

‘Really?’ Robbie turned around.

‘Oh, you know Della. She probably heard it from her hairdresser’s cousin. I wouldn’t repeat that. Anyway, I think Lily had a great day – she loves that paddling pool. Cora had great fun in it too.’

‘Yeah.’ Robbie put the teapot on the table and a mug in front of Mary. ‘I don’t know about that child. She’s odd. Always watching, saying nothing.’

‘She’s quiet, yes. I was probably a bit like that as a kid. Maybe I still am – the oddball American who doesn’t quite fit.’ She laughed but Robbie didn’t.

‘It’s more than that. Did you see when Fran ran over to pull her away from Lily in the pool? I was in the kitchen and even I could see there was something strange going on.’

‘Oh, I really don’t think so, they were just playing,’ Mary said as Robbie poured the tea.

‘Do you think I’m making it up?’ he asked, still pouring.

‘Gosh! No, not at all. Just that I think Cora is harmless.’

‘So, you do think I’m making it up.’ The tea was close to the rim of the mug now and Robbie hadn’t noticed. He was still pouring. She put her hand out to signal enough. Before she knew what was happening, Robbie had moved the teapot. Just a fraction of an inch. The boiling tea hit her skin, stunning her. She pulled away her hand, clutching it against her chest. But Robbie kept pouring. On to her lap, soaking through her light summer dress. She pushed her chair back and it crashed against the radiator behind, her skin stinging.

‘You should be more careful,’ Robbie said, before placing the teapot on the table and walking out of the room.

54

June 2018

I LISTEN IN SILENCE to Ruth’s stories, my hands clasped tightly on my lap, my fingernails digging into my skin. For what feels like hours, but is probably only thirty or forty minutes, I sit and listen, nodding but not speaking until Ruth asks me a question.

‘Do you see now?’

I nod.

‘But why didn’t Mary tell anyone? Wouldn’t Della have noticed?’

Ruth laughs softly. ‘Della didn’t know. Nobody knew. Robbie was very, very careful. Never hit her anywhere anyone would notice. Ribs and stomach and legs. No visible bruises. Endless tubes of arnica cream to heal the hidden ones and Mary always in long dresses. Nobody knew a thing.’