It is followed by a pale, freckled arm attached to the body of a boyish twelve-year-old Olive who has curly hair and a pointy chin. Four bare feet swing now. Along to the right of the beam a third girl appears, nineteen years old, her name is Rose. All three girls look beyond her expectantly. Two girls appear. They are also nineteen years old. The twins were born the same year as their older sister. Long curly hair down their backs. The same simple cotton nightdresses as the others. The last two girls stand on the beam and look directly at Mr Udnam. The twins are called Bessie and Clementine.

His face visibly pales.

Over at the table, Agnes’s one blind eye turns white.

Her blue eye is luminescent.

Archie grips the sides of his armchair.

– May I ask if there are any sceptics among us?

– No, Agnes, we are with you, Dora says.

Archie nods his head reluctantly.

– I welcome the dead into my home with the same warmth and respect I would offer the living. It is the positive energy of the sitters that is required to maintain this connection.

Dora squeezes Agnes’s hands.

The planchette moves slowly around the Ouija board. A glass on the table falls over, water drops onto the wooden floor. Agnes keeps her back as straight as she can and takes a long slow breath.

– Spirits, we urr here to receive you.

– Amen.

The sisters reply in unison.

Agnes can clearly hear them, as can Mr Udnam who is now crossing himself and praying in nonsensical mutters. The smallest sister shoots a paper aeroplane from the spirit world toward him. It is always the tiny children who can see everything. Like children and animals in the living world, they are still so close to the other side that they can flit between the two with ease.

– What we have here today is highly unusual. There is not one presence in the room as of yet but five.

Archie rolls his eyes and slams his fist on the armchair.

The twins swivel their heads around to look at him but he can’t see them.

– I welcome each spirit into my and my husband’s home. May we serve you the best we can.

– Amen, amen.

Dora falls deeper into some kind of alert sleep.

– We wish to speak to those blessed with light.

– Mercy.

– We hope you may communicate with us today in truth. If you are present in the spirit world can you indicate your intention?

The piano plays five high notes all by itself.

– I feel a powerful presence in this room. Dora, I have to ask if you are ready to continue and I need your assurance that you won’t break the circle no matter what occurs.

– I am ready, Agnes. I’m here to support you.

Archie has tears in his eyes.

There is an electric energy in the room.