Edie was in the kitchen pouring blackcurrant into a jug. It was dark purple, thick like single cream, proper Ribena, something we never had at home. She topped it up from the tap then opened the freezer and took out an ice tray. I heard voices from the utility room. One of them was Mum. The other was a man so had to be Max. My stomach turned over. I didn’t want her cleaning The Cliff House today. The place felt different with her and my brother there. Not as relaxed. I wanted it all for myself.

‘You know, we should go to the beach today,’ I said. ‘To Sennen. You’ll love it.’

Edie filled a glass and held it out to me, whilst giving a throwaway shrug. ‘I thought we could hang by the pool.’

As I took the drink from her she walked out of the kitchen with the jug and an empty glass.

‘I’d love to show you the beach.’ But I don’t think she heard me.

I trailed behind her as she walked over to Jago. ‘I thought you might like a drink,’ she said. ‘It’s so hot today.’

He mumbled, ‘No thanks,’ without looking at her, before refocusing on the instructions Eleanor was giving him about what she wanted him to do with the railings.

‘The sanding should be enough for today,’ she said. ‘You need to take all the rust off. Don’t cut any corners or it’ll bleed through the paint.’ Then she seemed to have a sudden thought. She looked at Edie. ‘Edith? Where’s your father?’

Edie gave her a withering look. ‘How on earth should I know?’

Eleanor glanced up at the house. Her eyes narrowed and then her mouth set hard. ‘Jago, go down and take a good look at the fence. Make sure you understand what you’re going to be doing. I need to go inside for a minute.’ She turned and marched up towards the house, walking quickly and with purpose. ‘Girls,’ she called over her shoulder as an afterthought. ‘Please don’t distract him.’

Edie crossed her arms and scowled at her mother’s retreating figure. ‘Why does she keep calling us girls?’ she grumbled as she walked over to the table and put the jug and glass down. ‘How old does she think we are? Ten?’ Edie shook her head and rolled her eyes as she sat down and put her feet up on the table. ‘And, Jesus, how unfriendly is your brother?’

The tone of her voice lit a fuse and I jumped to his defence without thinking. ‘He’s nervous, that’s all. Probably worried he’s not suitable.’ I heard the edge to my voice, so added, more gently, ‘He’s nice. I promise.’

Edie shrugged and kicked her heel against the tabletop. ‘Fuck this. We might as well go to the beach. Anything to get away from this hellish place.’