‘I’ll find you, don’t worry,’ she said. And then she was gone, moving effortlessly through the crowds in her patched velvet coat and her crocheted beret, and I was reminded of the night, nearly a year ago, when I’d first spotted her in the square and my heart had sung.

I turned back to you. ‘Daffy’s just going to get a drink,’ I said, not sure if I was trying to reassure you or myself. I held your hand tightly.

‘No,’ you said, letting go. ‘Don’t want.’

‘No, hold my hand,’ I snapped and then instantly felt guilty. ‘Please, Lolly, I don’t want you to get lost.’

You turned away from me to continue eating your toffee apple but you let me hold your hand. Where was Daphne? She was taking too long. I wished we were at home, safe in the cottage.

‘Hello, hello,’ said a voice beside me. It was Melissa, clutching a flask. ‘Isn’t this exciting? And what a great turnout.’

‘Hmm,’ I said, glancing over her shoulder to see if I could spot Daphne. Then I turned back to Melissa, with an idea. ‘Actually, I’m glad I’ve bumped into you. This is going to sound strange,’ I lowered my voice and angled my body away from you so that you couldn’t hear, ‘but the man who came into the café looking for me, I’m worried it’s someone I used to know. Someone I . . . escaped from.’

‘Oh, lovey, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize.’

I held up my hand. I needed to get this out before I changed my mind. ‘I’ve done something stupid, really stupid. My life,’ I said, ‘could be in . . .’ I mouthed the next word so that you couldn’t hear ‘. . . danger.’

Melissa’s eyebrows shot up. ‘What do you mean?’

‘If something happens to me –’

‘Why, nothing’s going to happen to you, dear, don’t be silly!’

‘Listen. Please. If something did, the evidence is in the fireplace. Can you remember that? It’s very, very important.’

She looked horrified. ‘I – I will. But I’m worried for you. Is there someone I can call? The police?’

‘No!’ I almost shouted. You turned and I smiled at you. When you looked back to the bonfire I said, in a hushed tone, ‘No. Please, no police. I’m sure it’s fine, but just in case.’