‘Dad, if I get a first-class certificate in my exams instead of a second-class certificate, could I have a guinea pig for Christmas?’ I asked.

As soon as I asked this question, I knew I had started something very big and very bad. Mum immediately stopped singing. Caleb and Ruthy froze. Dad said nothing for a minute but I saw his arms go tight around the steering wheel. He stared straight ahead for a few seconds and then I saw him look at me in the rear-view mirror. It was a sad look and made me feel bad. Mum’s shoulders were very straight and stiff and didn’t move for a long time. Caleb looked at Ruthy who made a very small ‘no’ with her mouth, and we travelled on that way for what seemed like miles and miles.

‘So, Dorcas,’ Mum finally said through gritted teeth, ‘despite your brother nearly dying of an asthma attack only a few weeks ago, you want to bring an animal into the house that might kill him. That’s what you think of him, is it? And you want your dad and me to have no sleep taking turns of sitting in his room with him all night because he can’t breathe? And you want us to have more hospital bills? And all so you can have a dirty little rat in the garden? I don’t know why I send you to Sunday school. You don’t seem to be able to learn anything about caring for other people at all.’

‘That’s enough, Agnes,’ said Dad quietly.

‘Oh, that’s right.’ Mum’s voice was getting louder now, with sharp spikes in her words like the teeth on Dad’s saw. ‘You stand up for her. You always do. I’m never first with you.’

‘Don’t be ridiculous, and let’s talk about this when we get home.’

‘That’s right. Sweep it all under the rug like you always do. Nothing will change. Nothing ever does. I’m stuck here in this dreadful house with naughty children and no family to support me while you swan off to work with your mates, too scared to tell Henry he exploits you. It’s not turning the other cheek, you know. It’s just weakness. You’re weak. And because you’re weak I will never see my family again.’ Her voice was filling up the car now like a dangerous gas. It was getting hard to breathe.

‘Just stop it, Agnes,’ said Dad quietly. ‘Just calm down.’

Even I knew it was never a good idea to tell Mum to calm down. It was like pouring petrol on a fire. Up she goes. Up she goes!

‘Can’t you see you are going to be sacrificed? Henry is sacrificing you at the altar of his own greed. He will kill you and I will be left with the children and no support. Can’t you see what’s going to happen? Do you even care? You come home later and later, and more and more tired. You have no energy for me or for the children. We never do anything together anymore. He is going to kill you and you don’t even care!’