Sean again. Daphne talked about him a lot. He lived in Chippenham and travelled in every day. She said she saw him as a younger brother, but I worried he wasn’t a good influence on her. Ever since he started at the farm she’d been bringing more items home. Things I wasn’t sure Mick would be very happy about if he knew. She was allowed friends, of course. I never wanted to be a controlling partner. But I couldn’t help my unease. It felt safer to keep our circle as small as we could. And even though I’d never met Sean I’d already made up my mind that I didn’t trust him.

‘It’s quite crowded,’ I said, trying to keep the anxiety from my voice.

‘I think neighbouring villages might have got tickets too,’ she said.

I bristled.

I couldn’t enjoy myself. I watched Daphne lead you around the field, going from one stall to another while I hovered behind, like a bouncer on high alert, still terrified that Victor might be looking for me. It was dark with a fine drizzle in the air. I could see your pink and red bobble wobbling as you followed Daphne around, your hand tightly in hers. ‘Make sure you don’t let go of her hand,’ I said to Daphne. I must have sounded stern because Daphne’s eyes widened in surprise and hurt, as she said that, yes, of course she would. ‘I’d guard this child with my life,’ she said.

I lurked behind you both when you stopped at the toffee-apple stall. ‘Shouldn’t she have a hot dog first?’ I said, leaning over, but Daphne was already placing the toffee apple in your eager hand.

‘Sorry,’ she mouthed over her shoulder, not looking sorry at all.

I felt too wound up to eat so wasn’t bothered when Daphne bypassed the hot-dog stand, snaking her way through the crowd with you, to the front. The huge bonfire was already lit, the smoke billowing and dispersing into the damp night. People jostled next to us, clutching polystyrene cups, and I could hear the faint tinny music coming from one of the nearby stalls. You leapt up and down in front of us, your excitement palpable, until I had to put my hands on your shoulders to stop you. ‘You’ll wear yourself out.’ I tried to laugh but it stuck in my throat.

Daphne leant into me and whispered in my ear, ‘Shall I get us a drink? A hot chocolate or something? It’s freezing and we might be waiting a while.’

‘I . . .’ I stood on tiptoe to peer around anxiously. ‘I don’t know. You might lose us.’