‘Yes, unwell. My father had been ensuring this girl was safe and cared for and she is very grateful for this. She would never have wished to bring him any harm.’

Viola nodded her head in agreement. Mr Crane tried to speak; I left him no gap.

‘With his dying words, my father asked that Viola Kendrick and the Eldest Girls –’ I held eye contact with our headmaster as I gave their names, ceremoniously. This was what did it, I believe, sealed my fate, speaking of them as he was wont to do, as single charms, not one collective spell, ‘– Jade-Marie Ahearn, Anna Duchamp, Britta Sayers…’ He glared back, unblinking. I could barely breathe but knew I must go on. ‘My father said that they are not to be blamed for his death and that they are not to be punished but instead given shelter. Protection is something they tried to find for themselves with that goat’s heart.’

Dr Bishy folded his arms, chins vibrating with the shaking of his head.

‘The coincidence of his death was precisely that.’ My voice grew louder now. I was outside of my body, watching myself speak. I had let go of Viola’s coat and was observing my own hands before me, making passionate gestures. ‘He had been sick for some time, we know now in hindsight. He had lost weight, he had been under a large amount of stress and had been experiencing extreme fatigue, which made him fall asleep at work. I can bring witnesses who –’

‘Enough, Miss Cedars, enough!’ roared Mr Crane. ‘I have allowed you to speak for too long already. Should we need you as a witness, then we shall call you. Now you may leave.’

‘I haven’t finished,’ I replied.

‘Believe me –’ he beat out the words ‘– when I tell you that you have.’

I looked to Saul, desperate for him to speak, terrified that he would.

‘I will be taking up my father’s hereditary seat on the Council,’ I went on. I would say it all, everything I had planned.

‘Seats pass to sons,’ said Mr Crane as casually as he had read out the absences. He was flicking though his lined pad now, bored of me. ‘Women do not sit.’

I felt Viola reach for my coat, as I had grabbed for hers, but she was too late to stop me. I walked towards the table and pulled back the seat beside Jed Springer, planting myself down. Our landlord issued another of his amused barks. This was how he dealt with Council meetings – Saul and the others kept away, Abe Powell was present in body but vacant of mind, and Jed Springer treated it merely as entertainment on a stage. His decision to stand back and laugh was better than the alternative – the kind of horror that was playing across Saul’s face. Viola took a nervous step towards the door, as if she might run for help.