‘As if I’d go near your Minecraft figurines. Which, by the way, are only for babies.’

‘They are not. What would you know? You can’t even play Minecraft.’

‘I’d rather literally die than play Minecraft. Anyway, I wasn’t in your room. Your room is gross. All spidery and creaky and dark.’

‘This whole house is spidery and creaky and dark,’ Ben says, his voice rising in indignation. ‘It isn’t just my room, you know!’

‘Guys!’ I stand up. ‘You’re far too old for this kind of bickering. Back upstairs and quiet now, Sophie’s asleep.’

Mark doesn’t take his eyes off the match as the kids slope out of the room and up the stairs. I sit back down and top up our glasses.

‘Can I ask you a bit more about Lily Murphy?’

He turns down the volume on the TV. ‘Sure. Why though?’

‘I’m just a bit jittery after hearing about it. Realizing the house has this tragic past, I guess.’ My attempt at nonchalance sounds forced to my own ears, but he just nods.

‘I really don’t remember much of the detail – we had moved across to Oakbrook and I was away in Irish College when it happened. When I came back, I remember everyone’s parents were worried and kept talking in whispers. For me and my mates … I guess it seemed like a bit of excitement at first. That probably sounds bad. But we didn’t really get it. I was sixteen, and fully caught up in myself. Obsessed with rugby and discos and impressing the girls.’ He grins. ‘Though obviously none of my other girlfriends were a patch on you.’

‘Actually, speaking of old girlfriends, Fran next door says she doesn’t remember you, but she had a funny look on her face when she said your name. Any story there? Fran Burke?’

Mark’s mouth drops open. ‘Fran Burke lives next door?’

‘Yep. That’s who told me about Lily. So you knew her?’

‘Yeah, I remember Fran. We even hung out for a while when I … well, when I used to live around here.’

Mark’s cheeks flush and I wonder if he and Fran dated. He has an old-fashioned habit of keeping his past relationships to himself, as though I’ll somehow be jealous of his exes from twenty years earlier. It is as endearing as it is silly.

‘Well, I’ve invited her to the housewarming on Friday, you can reintroduce yourself then.’ I nudge him with my elbow. ‘But anyway, did locals have any thoughts on what happened? Like, Wikipedia’s saying people believed she drowned?’

‘Yeah, I think that’s what the police thought. Actually, I remember Mum and Dad saying everyone except the parents believed she drowned, but in that kind of knowing way. Like they pitied the parents for losing their child, but pitied them for being naive too?’

I nod. I can imagine this very easily. Mark’s parents haven’t changed over the years.

‘Would they remember, do you think? Could I ask them?’