But suddenly I’m barely listening. Finn’s eyes are wide, as he tries to follow what’s being said. He drops down in the armchair, and tugs off his soaking socks, to reveal bright red feet. He has no idea his mother is dead.

‘What happened to you, Finn?’ I say, delaying the awful news.

‘The quad bike wouldn’t start, so I set out on foot.’ He touches his head. ‘A hunk of wood hit me; trees are losing limbs out there. I was out of it for a bit. Disorientated. Then I saw the fire. Good thinking whoever started it.’

Thomas grins. ‘My idea,’ he says like a proud child.

‘Talking of the fire,’ I say. ‘Did anyone notice there’s a piece of clothing burning on the fire? The remains of a top or maybe a jacket, I think.’

Everyone shakes their head, none of them seeming to see what I could see – that it could belong to the killer. I open my mouth to suggest it, then catch Finn’s eye. It’s more important that I tell him what’s happened to his mum.

I rise from the sofa, my legs feeling less numb, and crouch at Finn’s knees. I rest my arm on the armrest and twiddle a strand of my hair around my finger. ‘There’s something you need to know,’ I say, placing my other hand over his. ‘It’s awful news. I’m so sorry.’

‘What is it?’ A shadow crosses his eyes. ‘You’re freaking me out, Amelia.’

‘It’s your mum—’

‘Mum?’ He covers his mouth as though he knows already what I’m about to say.

‘She’s dead, Finn,’ I say, and squeeze his hand. ‘Someone killed her.’

Chapter 31

Present Day

Amelia

Finn is in bits, his eyes wild, his body shaking, as he struggles to take off his coat. Dad arrived back moments after I told Finn about his mum. And at Finn’s insistence, he took him to see Ruth’s body.

‘What the hell was she wearing?’ Finn says now, as though that’s important.

I jump to my feet and take his arm, lead him to the sofa, and sit down beside him. ‘I’m so sorry, Finn,’ I say, as he thrusts his head into his hands and sobs. ‘I’m so, so sorry.’

Eventually, like a lost child, his sobs slow to small jolts of sadness, and he lays his head on my shoulder.

Tears burn my eyes. I’m devastated for Finn. But I’m afraid for us all.

*

It’s gone midnight, and the wind howls around the cottage, rattling windows. There’s still no power, and the wood burner and candles have almost burned out. The silence is unbearable. We have no answers to Elise’s disappearance or Ruth’s death. The only comfort I hold on to is that we are together – safe, for now.