It was early, a little after 6 a.m. Imelda could just hear the gentle tick of her alarm clock above the exuberant birdsong coming from the garden below. Already, bright sunshine sparkled on the open windowpane, and the cloudless blue sky beyond promised an idyllic summer day. But not for everyone. Imelda lay in bed and listened to the clock tick. It was the countdown to some destined but as-yet-unknown disaster. She closed her eyes and the darkness enveloped her. Not simply lack of sight, but a blackness that filled her, swallowed her up, crushed and choked her. She could smell sparking metal and coal dust. The clamour of her alarm going off rescued and returned her to the start of a bright, sunny day. Grisha stretched and yawned on the bed beside her, and then nuzzled her cheek. Imelda forced herself out of bed and went to the window. Outside, their tiny corner of the world looked picture-perfect. Nothing here was amiss. But somewhere there was always someone suffering.

By the time she had showered and dressed, Imelda felt better. She had all but shaken off the shadows. Downstairs, as usual, Alexei was cooking breakfast. Shunty-Mae was dancing barefoot in the garden to a song that was playing on the radio she had left on the back doorstep. Alexei paused for a moment from frying blinis to gaze admiringly at his wife.

‘She’s still as beautiful as the day I met her.’

Imelda laughed and helped herself to one of the warm blinis. ‘And just as awkward, no doubt.’

Alexei dropped another spoonful of batter into the pan. ‘Certainly not. She’s much worse now!’

Imelda sat down at the table and poured herself some tea while Grisha sat hopefully at Alexei’s feet.

‘Don’t you feed that dog my breakfast!’

At the sound of Shunty-Mae’s voice Grisha slunk under the table.

Shunty-Mae appeared flushed and slightly breathless in the doorway. She caught sight of her daughter and her expression became serious.

‘What’s the matter with you?’

‘Nothing. Why?’

Shunty-Mae shook her finger at Imelda. ‘I can see it in your face.’

Imelda shrugged. ‘It’s nothing, just one of those feelings. Whatever it is will happen anyway. There’s nothing to be done.’

For once Shunty-Mae was silent, but she understood. The gift they shared could sometimes be a curse. Imelda finished her tea and stood up.

‘Take some of these with you, Melda, if you’re not going to eat a proper breakfast.’