‘Cora, I hope you don’t mind, but as you might be aware, the house we bought is the one where Robbie and Mary Murphy used to live. And I know—’

She holds up her hand. ‘Stop.’

‘Oh. I’m sorry.’

Her mouth is set, and for a moment, there’s silence.

‘Yes, I was with her that morning,’ she says eventually, ‘but I don’t know anything about what happened to her and I made a pact with myself a long time ago that I wouldn’t talk about it, so I’m sorry, but you’re going to have to accept that.’

‘Of course. I understand. It’s just that—’ How do I explain? How do I tell her I have a personal interest, that it’s not morbid curiosity?

Cora shakes her head and her hand goes up again.

‘Sorry, but no. What happened that day destroyed my family, and I won’t talk about it.’

‘You mean … your dad?’

‘How did you know?’

I can’t tell her I was googling her parents. ‘Someone said it … Mark’s originally from Rowanbrook and his parents mentioned—’

‘So you know the police came to our house?’

I nod.

‘It was horrible. Two guards, tramping around inside, asking questions. And it turns out it wasn’t even—’ She stops and it’s very clear she’s changed her mind about something she was going to say. ‘Anyway. It happened. Then of course, as it always does in Rowanbrook, word got out. Victor O’Brien suspected of doing something to Lily Murphy. It followed him everywhere, it affected his business and their marriage, and eventually …’

Eventually Victor O’Brien drove off a bridge. I don’t need her to say it. And as much as I want to know what happened, I can’t do this to her any more.

‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry. It was just a shock finding out that the little girl used to live in our house. I need to stop obsessing! You know, I’d love to hear more about the Residents’ Association?’

‘Yes!’ Cora brightens immediately and it’s as though she’s forgotten everything we just discussed. ‘You should join the RA. They’re always looking for new members, apparently. My other neighbour, Liz, said she might join too. She’s just a bit busy right now but she’s going to come back to me.’

I hide my smile. Liz would be completely allergic to joining the RA.

‘And it would give us a chance to get to know each other properly,’ Cora continues. ‘I think we’re going to be great friends.’ She reaches across the table to touch my arm. ‘Really great friends.’

14

May 1985

MARY WATCHED ABSENTMINDEDLY AS Cora O’Brien pulled her babysitter’s hand, eager to move forward in the queue for the ice cream van. Cynthia lit a cigarette and flashed Mary a smile, the gap in her front teeth making her seem somehow childlike. Her long red gingham dress gave her a hippie-ish look, though the hem was frayed and there was a cigarette burn halfway down the skirt. Her eyes had a glassy quality, just like at Lily’s party. Suddenly, without knowing why, Mary decided she didn’t want Cynthia babysitting Lily any more.