‘It’s sweet – it’s like you have a secret identity, as a librarian.’ The swift and competent manner in which Kym had re-shelved the books, tidied the desks and helped Mrs Agar shut down the computer and lock up had been a revelation, endearing

‘Curator, actually.’

Evie swung her bag onto her shoulder, it was a pale grey sort of a day, the sky was low, and she wasn’t that sure how much further along they were, but it didn’t matter, because she felt just a little happier, a little more in control. ‘Is that what you think you’ll do, then? History, or—’

‘Shit.’ Kym stopped suddenly.

‘What?’ Evie’s first thought was that they had been found out, that it was her mother standing at the park gates and looking up at them; but then the jolt of guilt was replaced by a terrible sinking feeling.

It wasn’t Carolyn.

It was Tyler.

*

Nell was sitting at the kitchen table. She had turned down Carolyn’s offer of lunch and helped Maude back up to her room. She had taken possession of the phone and had intended to ring Chris. But she found all she was good for was staring idly at Gina’s photographs, wondering what her gran would make of Maude, the house, everything.

She picked up the smaller picture, it was odd to see her grandmother so young, perhaps younger than Nell was now. She was walking arm in arm with Ida, along the pier. They both wore floral-print blouses and long summer skirts. Her gran carried a handbag and Ida a small basket. Ida’s hair was either cropped short or pinned up, it was hard to tell, and Nell’s gran wore her hair loose, dark curls caught by the breeze.

She charmed my wart away.

That was ridiculous. But Carolyn hadn’t looked like she was joking.

No shoes on the table, Nell. Bad luck.

Her grandmother’s voice, ringing in her head.

The flowers spiralling into the shadows.

She thought of the hands grabbing at her T-shirt. Pulling.

The shoe, hiding in the dark.

Her back ached and her belly cramped, her eyes were gritty from lack of sleep.

Nell dropped the photos on the table. Maybe Gina had a point. Maybe it would do them both, Maude and Nell, good to put it back where it belonged; to say goodbye, move on.

*

‘I’ve been messaging you,’ Tyler said. ‘I had to ring your mum in the end. She told me you’re still pissing about with the museum.’

‘I should go,’ said Evie, looking helplessly from one to the other. ‘I should let you—’

‘You don’t have to go anywhere,’ said Kym.

‘I’ve come,’ said Tyler, ‘to do you a favour. I thought we could – you know, talk.’

They had retreated back into the park, to the kids’ play area, the climbing frame and the swings.

‘What about, Ty? Maths homework? Beth Harland?’