But later, when the dancing started again, and Maggie joined them and asked angrily why Mary had not been in to help, she began to get anxious. She began to ask if anyone had seen the girl, shouting to be heard above the music. When no one could tell her where Mary was, she went to find Alec. He was dancing with Sylvia Drysdale. It was a waltz and he was holding her very close, but Agnes did not notice that.

“Mary is missing,” she said, prodding his back to get his attention. “You must go and look for her. I will tell your father. You must both go.”

“Mother,” he said, yelling with exasperation and to make sure that he was heard. “ She’s always going missing when no one’s taking any notice of her. I’m not spoiling my evening to play her silly games.”

It was then that Agnes began to cry.

“You don’t care about her,” she sobbed. “ You’ve never cared for her. She’s my daughter and I’m proud of her. I love her. You don’t understand. She needs all of your help, but you don’t understand.”

They gathered around her. They thought that it was the drink that made her maudlin. “She’s not used to it,” they said. But because of who she was they humoured her. Sandy went to Sandwick to see if Mary was there. When he returned to say that she was not, the party broke up. They began to search the island.

Kell was the northernmost croft on the island. It was a mile from the nearest house. At the back of the house rose the mountain where the skuas seemed to fight with sheep for land. The back of the house was always dark.

Melissa sat in the kitchen. She was remembering the dance they had on the island when she came with James. They had been married on the island. They had been married in the church. She had told him that she had no faith but he said that it did not matter. Everyone was married in church. He did not believe her when she said that she had no family to invite, but he did not press her.

Sandy and Agnes had been married just a few years before and were very happy and lighthearted. They had made her feel welcome and wanted. They had been great friends, the four of them. Later she and Agnes had become pregnant at the same time, and when she lost the baby Agnes had been the person who had given the most comfort. It pleased her to know that life continued, and her sister-in-law’s swelling belly was a sign of hope that she, too, could carry a baby again. But although there were other pregnancies none of the babies survived and as Agnes’ family grew, Melissa became bitter and distant.