‘I guess that was my hope. That and to find out more about him. There’s unfinished business for me, as you can imagine. It’s like there’s a thousand-piece puzzle that needs to be put together to answer the questions I didn’t even realise I wanted answered until I read the release letter.’

Gwen stepped out from the patio doors with a tray and headed to where Lizzie and Anna were sitting.

‘Here we go, ladies.’ She put the plates in front of them and placed a basket of condiments in the centre of the wooden table. ‘What would you like to drink?’

After they’d told Gwen what they wanted and she’d disappeared back inside, Anna spoke.

‘I don’t think the villagers will make that easy, Lizzie. I have a feeling you’ll get so far, but be unable to complete that puzzle without the bits they’ve been hiding for thirty years. And I doubt if some of them even remember what, or where, those missing pieces are.’

Chapter Forty-Five

1989

Fisher residence

Saturday 24th June – 25 days before

‘Are you off out again, Bella? You’re never in lately. What about your spelling homework? The test is on Monday. Have you finished learning your words?’

‘I already know them, they’re easy ones. I can spell them backwards.’

‘You don’t get marks for that I’m afraid, my little one,’ Eric called from his armchair in the lounge.

‘Oh, you’re funny, Dad,’ Bella said in the stroppy teenage voice she’d adopted despite being only ten. ‘Test me later, I’ll prove it.’

‘I’m going out in a bit, and you’ll be tucked up asleep by the time I get back. But tomorrow you can prove to me how clever you are.’

‘After Sunday school then – it’s a deal,’ Bella shouted. Moments later the front door slammed.

‘Oh, so I’m going to be left alone then! I do enjoy my weekends.’ Muriel’s brow creased and she put both her hands on her hips. ‘I’ll take myself off to Tina’s then. It would be nice to have some company.’

‘Don’t sound so hard done by, love.’

‘I’m fine. I’m sure we can come up with an enlightening topic – maybe what can be done with the abandoned barn on the edge of the play park. Some of the kids have broken the door and are using it as some kind of den; it’s not safe. I don’t think it should wait until the next Mapledon Meeting, so I’ll discuss with Tina how we should approach the councillors. They really need to do something about it right now.’

‘You’re acting like you’re the bleedin’ high priestess of a witches’ coven, you are, Muriel!’

‘Are you jealous, dear – would you like to be the high priest? It can be arranged,’ Muriel said with a tight smile. ‘But I’d still be the one to make decisions, so don’t let’s get ahead of ourselves.’

Eric shook his head, tutting. ‘I’m just saying, you don’t have to be the one to make every decision, that’s all.’