On the walk back Elle frowned as she spotted something familiar sitting on top of a tombstone: a pair of sunglasses that looked just like hers … Absently, she put her hand to the top of her head and felt nothing. She hadn’t realised she’d lost them, and had no idea why they were sitting folded neatly on top of a headstone she wasn’t even sure she’d walked past earlier. She glanced around, thinking maybe someone had picked them up and left them in plain sight for her, but there didn’t appear to be any other visitors.

‘Gran, this is freaking me out,’ she murmured, snatching the glasses up and shoving them in her pocket, then glancing down at the gravestone. Duncan Campbell, the inscription read. Dearly loved and missed by his wife, Adelle, and their seven daughters.

Seven children he had, Gran said, sounding sideswiped.

Elle frowned at the name, trying to place it, but came up blank. ‘Who was Duncan, Gran? Is he a relative?’

No. Just someone I once knew.

The wind picked up and blew across the water, making Elle shiver. ‘I’m heading back to the car now, Gran. Alice will be expecting us … well, me.’ Gran didn’t reply, and Elle’s hands were getting cold. She’d had enough of cemetery exploring for now. What she needed was a loo stop and a hot coffee.

‘You have arrived at your destination,’ Elle’s GPS informed her as she slowed to a stop outside a gorgeous granite house. The whole street was made up of the beautiful stone buildings. Some were grand three-storey masterpieces, others were smaller but still elegant. This one was a quaint two-storey home with bay windows set on either end of the ground floor and what appeared to be loft rooms on the top storey.

‘This is it,’ Elle said, feeling a sudden attack of nerves. She was about to walk into a house full of complete strangers.

They’re not strangers, darling. They’re your family, Gran said, and Elle heard the slight wobble in her voice.

‘I wish you’d been able to come and visit them, Gran.’ Elle felt the familiar weight of guilt settle in her stomach once more. ‘I’m so sorry I kept putting it off.’

Enough of that, Gran said briskly. I could have come back here whenever I wanted, and I chose not to. We’re here now.

But too late. The thought slipped out before Elle could stop it.

Not for you, Gran said gently.