‘I know, I do know that, but . . .’ said Nell. ‘But – I know it sounds weird, but before I fell, it felt like something grabbed hold of me and pulled.’ There was a long silence. ‘You don’t believe me. That’s OK, I wouldn’t believe me either.’

‘I’ve never much liked the place,’ said Gina, ‘but if you felt someone pull you – well, I’m sorry, pet, but maybe the solution is closer to home.’

Nell shook her head. ‘She couldn’t have, there wasn’t time – she wouldn’t . . .’

‘Maybe it was just a joke that got out of hand.’

And it did make sense, in a way. Things going missing, then being replaced, her phone, the testing kit; the silly, spiteful random nature of it. ‘There were some things in the bathroom this morning,’ Nell said slowly.

‘Things?’

‘Salt. Pins.’

Gina raised her eyebrows. ‘Salt and iron to protect a house. Have you asked her about them?’

Nell sighed. ‘If I do, there’ll be another scene. But if I don’t . . .’ She should check the time, she ought to be getting back. She looked around the room. ‘Have you got a bit of paper?’

Gina opened a drawer, pulling out a pencil and a spiral-bound notebook. Nell took them and sketched the design out as well as she could remember. ‘And there are these,’ she said, ‘up on the beams in her room.’

‘Goodness,’ said Gina.

‘Do you know what they are?’

‘Witch marks,’ said Gina, then she smiled. ‘Don’t look so worried, pet. They’re for protection, luck; they’ve been inside the house for a long time without doing anybody any harm. There’s nothing – nothing to worry about there.’

Nell looked at the paper, thinking. ‘But even so,’ she said, ‘it’s like she’s drifting away from me. No. Pushing me away.’

‘It’s the only power you have at that age, isn’t it?’

‘Power?’

‘Privacy. Finding out you can say no to the grown-ups. She’s testing her boundaries, that’s all.’

‘Oh she’s doing that, all right.’ Nell’s throat ached, she wouldn’t cry, not again. ‘And she won’t part with the shoe,’ she said, suddenly resentful. ‘There were lots of promises about taking good care, and it’s only for a few days, but if it’s giving her ideas . . . If she . . .’ She could feel them again, small hands tugging and pinching, and her back ached, her stomach cramped.

‘Maybe you should put it back in the wall, where it belongs,’ Gina said.

‘Isn’t that – encouraging her?’

‘It might – resolve things. If it’s done with care.’

‘Mindfully?’ Nell attempted a smile.