They follow her into a kitchen-diner. The house seems tiny in comparison to the lodge. But in reality it’s a decent size, with doors leading to a living room, an office, what looks like a den and a large dining room. As Amber passes the living room, she notices above the roaring fire a large painting of a girl with silky black hair like Rosa’s. Her eyes seem to follow Amber and Lumin, and Amber shivers.

‘Take a seat,’ Rosa says, gesturing to a comfy-looking sofa at the end of the kitchen, Lumin seems tense, her fingers tapping on the table as she jogs her leg up and down. As Rosa makes their hot chocolate, Amber and Lumin explain why they’re there. They tell the story seamlessly, each taking over when the other pauses. As they talk, Rosa is silent, focusing on stirring chocolate into a saucepan and getting cream from the fridge. Occasionally, she looks over at Lumin, examining her face with a frown.

When they’ve finished explaining it all, Rosa brings their hot chocolates over with some gingerbread men and sits across from them. Her eyes settle on Lumin again. ‘Yes, you look like your parents,’ she says eventually. ‘You have Gwyneth’s colouring and Dylan’s cheekbones.’

‘Gwyneth,’ Lumin whispers. ‘Dylan.’

‘Dylan McClusky?’ Amber asks, remembering the business letters she’d seen in the lodge.

Rosa nods. ‘The name gives it away. Gwyneth and Dylan had a daughter called Lumin.’

Lumin lets out a sob, putting her hand to her mouth. ‘Finally!’ she cries.

Amber puts her hand on the girl’s back, trying to quiet the mixed feelings whirring in her own head. Her happiness for Lumin is tainted with a sudden worry over what she’ll say to Detective King in the inevitable phone call she’ll have to make soon. Of course she is pleased Lumin now knows who her family are, but what does this mean for them both? Will she see Lumin again?

No, she’s being selfish. This is good for Lumin.

She looks at Rosa, forcing a smile. ‘So where are Lumin’s parents now?’ she asks.

‘I believe your mother moved to Iceland with you,’ Rosa says to Lumin.

‘That will explain why no one recognised you in the UK press!’ Amber says. ‘Is Lumin’s mother still there now?’

Rosa shrugs. ‘I really don’t know, I lost track after that.’

‘What about my dad?’ Lumin asks. ‘Is he in Iceland too?’

Rosa looks at her with sad eyes. ‘I’m so sorry, Lumin. But your father passed away in the fire that claimed the lodge.’

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Gwyneth

Iceland

12 September 2009

While not native to Iceland, polar bears occasionally travel there on ice floes, arriving starving due to their journey. But without the protection of their family, and being perceived as a threat to the community, many are shot on arrival.

‘Lunch!’ I called out to Lumin. ‘Don’t forget your lunch.’