I sit down on the rug on the wooden floor, and cradle my knees; the warmth from the fire has thawed me out. ‘Shall I put the TV on? Look at the long-range forecast?’

‘No power.’

‘Really?’ Just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse.

‘It went down over an hour ago. I’m sure it will be back on again soon.’

I bury my face in my knees, my mind drifting; wondering if what I’m feeling is depression, grief, or are they the same thing? The tragedy is that I thought being with Dad was exactly what I needed to lift me, but being with him, here of all places, is making me feel worse than ever.

‘So, did Thomas have a go on a sledge?’ Dad says, after a while.

‘What do you think?’ I look up to see him raise a smile. We both know Thomas. He tries anything. It’s the way he has always been. Why he is in a wheelchair.

We are silent again. Struggling to communicate. It isn’t like us. We’ve always got on great.

‘Do you remember the owner of the estate?’ I ask him, eventually.

‘Michael Collis?’

‘Yes.’

‘Yes. Well, no, obviously I don’t remember him as such as he was abroad.

‘Why?’ His eyes sparkle as though he hopes I’m about to reveal something important.

‘No reason, really,’ I say with a shrug. And it is nothing. Michael Collis was definitely away that day, a year ago. And the police searched his property. I get to my feet. ‘I saw his farmhouse, that’s all. It brought back memories.’

His sparkle fades. ‘Well, the police ruled him out of any connection to Lark’s disappearance.’

‘Yes, I know.’ I drift towards the window and look out, thinking of the beautiful late sunshine we had this time last year. Recalling the day we all spent on the beach with Mum, the ghost walk. ‘I think I’ll head out again. I feel a bit claustrophobic stuck inside.’ I pad across the room, and grab my coat from the hook. ‘Want to come for a walk, Dad?’

He shakes his head, and picks up his Kindle once more, and I wonder why he doesn’t seize the opportunity to explore. But the truth is he’s already defeated, and I know how he feels. Finding Lark here is as unlikely as the chance the snow will thaw before tomorrow.

*