Whoever ‘they’ really were.

Jem and Lily fell into a comfortable silence, sorting through the documents in front of them, making notes, in the hope that they could give themselves the best possible chance.

‘That book you got from your uncle, can I see it?’ Jem was munching on a sticky-looking bun that smelled like honey, and spoke through a full mouth.

Lily passed the book over the desk, open on the story that Alf had recommended. It was illustrated beautifully, but the golden edges of the pages had faded with the water damage.

‘Strange…’

‘What is?’

‘That your uncle knew so much, but you’d never heard any of it. Why would he keep that from you?’

‘I guess he never thought it was relevant. It’s hardly a casual conversation starter.’

‘Hmm…’ Jem popped the last bite of bun into his mouth and wiped his hands on his trousers. He tentatively flicked through the pages, careful not to transfer any crumbs onto the book. ‘You don’t suppose he knew more than he let on, do you?’

‘I was in a rush to leave Alder Vale, and he made it clear that he could only tell me the few things I really needed to know. I’m sure he’ll explain when I get back.’

‘Just … this story. The men in it … they’re a bit odd, don’t you think?’

Lily frowned. ‘Odd?’

‘Why is it acceptable, in a book full of tales probably meant for children, to depict a man brutally murdering a woman whilst trying to capture an innocent child? I know she’s supposed to be haunted or possessed or whatever, but still. It doesn’t make sense.’

Before they could further ponder the story’s inclusion, the door of the study burst open with a violent crash. Morven flew into the room, a ghost with terror etched upon her face, her eyes wild and panicked.

‘Jem, you’ve got to come quickly!’ Morven was frenzied. ‘It’s Glenn and Cass – they’re fighting again and it’s really bad. Please, Jem, now!’ Morven disappeared back through the door and Jem leaped out of his seat, papers flying everywhere. Lily followed, running to catch up with Jem who had already disappeared into the main building.

Lily wondered what Morven had meant by ‘again’ as she ran. The panicked look on Morven’s face had been mirrored on Jem’s when he saw her. Something made Lily think that maybe these fights were not infrequent and could be serious. When she arrived outside the main living room of the lighthouse, the door was already open, swinging on its hinges. She passed over the threshold and Brenna and Maeve ran directly at her, grabbing at her skirts and hiding their faces. They were shaking. Lily put her arms around them both and walked towards the centre of the room. Her line of sight was partly obscured by one of the large leather sofas, but there were scuffling noises, grunts, shouts, and growls filling the room, bouncing off the wooden walls, amplifying the sound in a series of cacophonous echoes.