She’d arrived far too early for the ghost tour, wanting to get out of the cottage – tired of Thomas and Maddie messing about, of Maddie’s shrill laughter. The young fun-loving American couldn’t help being silly and yet oddly responsible – Amelia understood that – and it was good to see Thomas happy, but if she’d stayed in the cottage any longer she would have said something she regretted, or possibly throttled Maddie.

‘So do you live in Scotland?’ Finn asked, as he flicked his torch on and off.

She shook her head. ‘I grew up in Berwick-upon-Tweed.’

‘And now?’

‘Sorry?’

‘Do you still live—’

‘Oh, no.’ She shook her head, and curled a wave of her hair around her finger. ‘I live in London with my cat.’ She had no idea what stopped her mentioning William. She loved him, didn’t she? They’d even talked about having a baby one day. Though she’d done most of the talking.

‘I’ve never been to London, would you believe?’ Finn said with a sigh. He looked about him, and as though caught on an invisible line, his eyes met hers. ‘Spent my life here with Mum mostly.’

‘Mostly?’

‘A brief marriage that didn’t work out.’

‘Sorry.’

He shrugged. ‘It wasn’t to be. My mum never liked her – didn’t trust her, said she was the type to cheat, and then she went and proved Mum right. Anyway, my mother needs me here.’ A beat. ‘Christ, ’ark at me sharing my life story.’

‘It’s fine. I don’t mind.’

He smiled. ‘So you’re here because of your mum? She’s ill?’

Amelia turned from his gaze, keeping her eyes forward. She didn’t want to talk about it – it made it too real – but still words formed in her head. A painful group of words that made her eyes sting with tears. ‘We’ve been told she’s only got six months.’

‘I’m so sorry to hear that.’

‘Yeah. Thanks.’

She was relieved when the door of Bluebell Cottage opened, and her mum, Jackson and Lark appeared. Within moments, her dad came through the darkness too from the other direction.

‘Welcome,’ Finn said, rising to greet everyone, and putting his top hat back on.

Amelia stared at her mum who was laughing and clapping, smiling up at Jackson, so excited. She was no longer wearing the wig she’d worn at dinner – it made her head itch, that’s what she’d told Amelia – and she’d pulled on a beanie hat, a khaki-coloured parka, and a navy scarf was wrapped around her neck and covered most of her face.

Amelia straightened her shoulders and smiled. ‘OK. Let’s do this thing!’ she said, surprising herself.