‘Fancy a Horlicks, Mum?’ Anna said, pushing herself into a better position on the sofa. Muriel’s eyes appeared glazed, as though she’d been asleep with them open.

‘Sorry, what?’ She blinked several times and turned to Anna.

‘Had you zoned out?’ Anna gave a nervous laugh. The vacant look had unnerved her a bit.

‘Yes. Yes, I was deep in thought then. Sorry. Now, what did you say, love?’ Her voice now light and cheery.

‘I was going to make Horlicks, do you want one?’

‘Ooh, have I got any? I don’t think—’

‘I picked some up when I went to the shop on Saturday. Remembered it was your favourite.’

‘Lovely. Yes. And then maybe we can have a heart-to-heart?’

Anna’s pulse quickened. Muriel suggesting a heart-to-heart? What was coming?

They both sipped tentatively from their mugs, facing each other at the dining-room table, Anna sitting in what used to be her dad’s chair. It’d been a long while since he’d vacated it, but it was still his. Funny how some things just were; the passage of time didn’t alter everything – despite the fact he’d been gone for longer than he’d been present, certain things stuck. It was almost as if he’d died, rather than left of his own accord.

‘How is Carrie? I haven’t seen her for such a long time. I miss her.’

‘She’s good, thanks. You should come visit during these holidays. Perhaps when this is sorted?’

‘I’d love to. I could come back with you tomorrow, and stay for a few weeks.’ Muriel spoke so quickly and enthusiastically, Anna thought she was having a funny turn.

Anna nodded her head, slowly. ‘That would be nice. But I don’t think there’s a big rush. Don’t you want to know who’s doing this to you, Mum? Make sure it stops?’

‘Don’t you want to make sure I’m safe? You were the one concerned that these awful … these … abominations, were threats. And now you’re acting as though it’s nothing to worry about again. How come you’ve changed your tune?’

‘I know. I realise I’ve been swinging from one thing to the other. If I’m totally honest I don’t understand any of it. Speaking with Lizzie today, it’s just confused me further.’

‘What claptrap has she been spewing?’

‘Mum! Why do you dislike Lizzie? She was only eight when all this happened with her father. Hardly her fault, is it?’

‘No. And I don’t dislike the girl. I merely mistrust her. She was so damaged, Anna. You won’t remember much, aside from the dismembered dolls that is. It was the way she looked, the way she acted. He’d damaged her. It wasn’t enough to lose her mother to cancer, more hurt and pain came her way via him. And it had a terrible consequence. Well, more than one …’

‘Oh? What do you mean?’

‘Nothing. Like I said, she was harmed. To such a degree I think it affected her. Made her moody, nasty and unpredictable.’

‘Didn’t she have help from professional psychiatrists or anything? Poor girl.’