“I don’t need an answer now. But think about it—would you promise to do that? It’s a lot to take on. Too much to ask, really.”

“I don’t mind, honestly.”

“If it wasn’t for you, I never would have considered sending her away, you know. But I think it’s the right thing now.”

“You do?”

He nodded. “Don’t you?”

Though she felt sick with dread, she forced her face into a smile and nodded that she agreed it would be best to send Constance away for treatment.

“I don’t know how to thank you, Ruby. For everything.”

Ruby rolled her eyes. It’s nothing.

He checked his phone screen. “Is that the time? I’ve got to run. She might need her sleep tonic tonight. It’s in the bathroom. Can you make sure she gets it? It’s awful when she doesn’t sleep.”

“Sleep tonic?”

“Yeah, it’s just a herbal thing. Brown bottle. One spoonful is usually enough to do the trick, but tonight I think two would be better. She’s a little antsy.”

Gregor kissed her on the cheek, grabbed his jacket and left. When the door clicked shut, she wiped the kiss away with the back of her hand.

In the living room, Leonie was asleep in Constance’s lap, her arms and legs limp and splayed. As Ruby entered, Constance swiped at her eyes with her sleeve. Ruby expected bruises on the other woman’s face, but there was no redness on the pale skin, no marks from the beating she’d endured. He must have hit her in places that didn’t show. Always the long sleeves, the high-necked shirts. It made sense now. Where does it hurt? she wanted to ask. There was a carefulness in the way Constance held her head, and now that Ruby looked, one ear was bright red and swollen at the lobe.

“Hey, Mamma Ruby. You’re too late; she’s all ready for bed.” Constance held the small girl close, studied her face, and stroked it gently with a fingertip as she sang.

Ionn da, ionn do, ionn da, od-ar da.

Ruby sang the answer.

Hi-o dan dao, hi-o dan dao, hi-o dan dao, od-ar da.

“You almost sound like one when you sing it like that,” said Constance. Her voice was low and resonant so that Ruby struggled to catch the words.

“One what?” The air seemed electric, and Ruby felt light-headed. She didn’t know if the feeling came from the long shadow of what had just happened or from her worried anticipation of what Constance might be about to say.

Constance lowered her voice further and glanced from left to right, imparting a secret. “One of the seals. From the old skerry.”

“They sing?”

“Of course. All the time.”