Besides, she thinks with a smile, looking towards her new-found friend in the darkness, I have always wished to go north. To explore the outer edges of nowhere, to see those remote and wild islands so full of new landscapes. New plants to study, new everything. From the forests and fields of Salop to fresh seas and skies. To machair sands and thrift, to orchids and the rare Scottish primrose, Primula scotica. To skuas and terns, to long beaches with tiny shells all the colours of the rainbow. To the Cattie-face that hunts in the day and the low-growing birches. Yes, she thinks. I would very much like to taste that salt wind on my tongue, to see those wide, northern skies, witness the ‘Merry Dancers’, as Natalya calls the aurora borealis, shimmering and stretching above the winter horizon. She feels a spark of excitement rising. For I have always wished to go north, have I not?

‘Is Mrs Meake in?’ asks Mary when Sarah, flustered and red in the face, opens the door.

‘No, miss!’ says Sarah, looking behind her to check that her master is nowhere near. ‘She has left him!’ she whispers.

‘Left him?’

Sarah nods, stepping outside and gently pulling the door to. ‘It’s most scandalous, I warrant you, but indeed she has. I saw her go with my own eyes!’

‘Where might I find her? It’s most urgent that I speak with her,’ says Mary and Sarah notices the tall young man on the other side of the road, watching.

‘Is that handsome fella, your beau?’ she asks and Mary turns to see Richard waiting for her. Ah, she thinks with a smile, he has caught up with me then.

‘No. Not quite. He’s a family friend and it’s – well, it’s complicated.’ Mary tries not to blush.

‘Oh, ain’t it always?’ says Sarah, with a sigh.

‘Why did Mrs Meake leave? Has Mr Meake’s behaviour been strange of late?’

‘Most strange!’ says Sarah. ‘But here, I shouldn’t be seen talking to you. The cook is gone and there is much to do.’

‘The cook has left too?’

Sarah nods. ‘Handed her notice and left without the perquisites she was entitled to and everything. She said I should get out too, that there was something rotten in this house and she wanted no more part of it.’

‘And Mrs Meake, is she quite all right?’

‘Don’t know, miss, only that she has gone to her friend’s house.’

‘Do you know the address? Please, we wish to help. We believe Mr Meake is not in his right mind. We think he may be responsible for some terrible things and we want to make sure that he is stopped.’

Sarah thinks for a moment before leaning forward, whispering the address in Mary’s ear.

‘Thank you,’ says Mary, taking Sarah’s hand and squeezing it. ‘Thank you most kindly.’