Veronica was in the sitting room looking blankly at the television screen, on which a breakfast morning show was discussing if the religious meaning of Christmas was still relevant. Francesca, as a Christian, was offended by this. She took it upon herself to switch the television off and start a conversation about what the next few weeks held in store for her sister.

‘Here you are.’ Francesca put a cup of tea down on the table next to where her sister was sitting. ‘I put two sugars in. You need to keep your energy up. I noticed you didn’t have any breakfast this morning again.’ Veronica stared at the mug but didn’t pick it up. ‘Anyway,’ Francesca continued, ‘I know this is difficult, but I think we need to have a talk about next week.’

‘Next week?’ Veronica was distant.

‘Yes, it’s Christmas.’

‘Not for me it isn’t.’ She hung her head. ‘Dennis always used to buy the tree. There won’t be one this year.’ She looked at the space in the living room where a tree should have been standing proudly with twinkling lights.

‘I know it is the last thing you want to think about but I need to know what I’m doing.’ Francesca sat on the sofa next to her sister and rested her hand on her knee. Veronica was still in her dressing gown. ‘Natalie is coming over, remember I told you? She lands on the twenty-second and I really don’t want to miss spending as much time with her as possible.’

‘Natalie? Oh yes.’ Veronica had been a good aunt to Natalie when she was young, but as soon as she grew up and left the country the relationship had ended. It wasn’t that Veronica was a mean woman, she was just forgetful. Natalie was far away and for Veronica out of sight was out of mind.

‘Well, I want to know where you would like to be. I think it would be wise if you came back to Yoxter for a while. What do you think?’ Since offending Veronica with her suspicions about Andrew, Francesca had consciously decided to be softer with her sister. ‘We could meet Natalie at Heathrow on the twenty-second and travel back with her to Somerset. I think it will do you good to get away from this place for a while.’

‘You want me to leave this house?’ Veronica looked appalled.

‘Just for a little while. Come back home with me. We’ll take good care of you. I’ve spoken to Doug and he thinks it is a good idea.’

‘Doug wants me to come and stay?’

‘Of course. You’re his family too.’ Francesca was lying about Doug. She hadn’t run the idea past her husband at all, but she knew she didn’t need to. She wore the trousers; Doug always allowed his wife to make the decisions and fell into line with them.