‘We need to do something, for Christ’s sake,’ Thomas goes on. ‘Why aren’t we checking Ruth’s cottage? The farmhouse? Trying to get a signal so we can call the cops? This is bloody ridiculous.’

‘I had to walk as far as the gate before I could get through to the cops earlier,’ Dad says. ‘The signal is awful around here at the best of times, but with this weather it’s almost impossible.’

‘Yeah, well someone needs to try again,’ Thomas says.

‘You’re right.’ I rise. ‘We must do something.’

‘OK, then shall we start by checking Ruth’s cottage?’ Maddie’s eyes are on me. ‘And then walk towards the gate until we get a signal. Use my phone to call for help?’

‘OK.’ I would much rather go with my dad, but she’s up and clambering into her ski suit before I can suggest it. I pick up my phone and shove it into my pocket.

‘Dad, why don’t you build some sort of fire outside,’ Thomas says. ‘Elise or Finn will spot the flames if they’re lost in the forest.’

‘Finn knows these woods, Thomas,’ I say. I’m tetchy. It’s not only everything that’s happened, or even thoughts of being alone with Maddie. I just feel we should all stay together to be safe. ‘And you really think wood will burn in this weather?’

Rosamund’s on her feet too, dashing her sleeves over her eyes. ‘You stay here, Thomas; Robert, you light a fire; and I’ll go with Maddie and Amelia.’

‘No.’ I shake my head. Despite wanting her with us as extra security, I’m worried about her unborn child. ‘Stay. You’ve been in the cold far too long already. You need to think of your baby.’

She rubs her stomach. ‘OK,’ she agrees. ‘Maybe you’re right.’

Maddie’s now in her super-warm ski suit, and I notice, as I shuffle into my not-so-warm padded jacket, Dad grab a box of matches, some dry logs from next to the wood burner, and a pile of magazines from the coffee table. I pull my woolly hat down over my ears, wrap my scarf around my face, and flick on my phone torch. ‘Let’s go,’ I say, opening the door.

Heads down, Maddie and I battle against the weather, stomping through the deep snow towards Ruth’s cottage. The squally wind makes it almost impossible to talk, for which I’m thankful. Although Maddie’s and my differences seem minuscule compared to what is going on right now.

We reach Ruth’s cottage, and I try the conservatory door. It’s open, as I hoped it would be.

‘Elise!’ I call, stepping inside. I flash the torch around the room, the light bouncing off the windows, and onto the pine table where we sat this morning.

Maddie sniffs the air, as she steps in behind me and closes the door. ‘Something’s burning.’