‘Here you go,’ Anna said, placing the mat down and popping the mug onto it. ‘Mum?’ She waited for her mother’s attention. ‘When I arrived last Saturday, you asked me to get a notepad from the top drawer.’ Anna pointed to the dresser. ‘I saw a bundle of old letters in there.’ She watched for Muriel’s reaction.

‘Yes, don’t know why I keep such things. Terrible hoarder,’ she said, shrugging.

‘Who were they from?’

‘You always were a nosy one,’ Muriel said, taking a sip from her drink.

‘No. I really wasn’t, Mum.’ Anna knew her mother was stalling. Not wanting to divulge the author of the letters. ‘They’re from my dad, aren’t they?’

‘No, no. Just a pen friend. Goodness, your father would never put pen to paper.’

‘I don’t believe you.’ Anna could no longer bother with the nicey-nicey, drawn-out approach she’d been taking with her mother. ‘Show me.’

‘I – I shredded them. They were taking up too much space …’

‘When did you do that?’

‘Oh, I don’t remember. The other day, when you were next door with Sandie I think.’

‘Really?’ Anna got back up from the sofa and bent down in front of Muriel. ‘Look at me, Mum.’

‘What? What now, Anna?’

‘You’re lying to me. Shit. You’ve lied to me all my life, haven’t you?’

‘Of course not,’ Muriel said. But there wasn’t an ounce of conviction in her tone.

Anna’s jaw muscles clenched; her teeth jammed together painfully. She had to keep her temper – losing it now wouldn’t get her anywhere.

‘I realise you’ve told some untruths,’ Anna said, knowing she was putting it very mildly. ‘And I know you’re probably worried about what I’ll think of you. How I’ll react. But, Mum – I need to know now.’ Anna took Muriel’s hands in hers. ‘This is getting out of hand and I’m afraid people will come to harm because of what you did, or what Dad did. Or what the villagers of Mapledon did. I realise what’s done is done – we can’t alter the past, but we can ensure no one else gets hurt now. All I want is for you to confide in me, to tell me the truth. It has to come out eventually. Whatever you did – I’ll forgive you.’ Anna attempted a warm, encouraging smile. She wasn’t sure she would be able to forgive her, but she felt it’s what she had to say to get Muriel to talk.

‘Oh, Anna. It’s all such a mess. None of us had any idea it would come to this, I promise you.’ Muriel put her head in her hands.

The knot in Anna’s stomach intensified. None of us?

‘It’s okay, Mum. Did your attempts to get Billy to leave Mapledon snowball? Did you use Jonie’s disappearance to ensure you got what you wanted?’ A cold sensation crept over her skin.

‘It wasn’t just that,’ Muriel said. As she looked up, Anna saw the tears slide down her face, their path meandering through the deep wrinkles. Christ. Had her mother caused Jonie’s disappearance?