‘When you came round, and she said about her Aunt Ida? She used to have a real thing for her – a couple of years ago, she got really into homeopathic and folk remedies and there were stories, more stories, I mean, like she was proud of Ida. Like she could really – do things. And she has some books, upstairs in her room. Dad used to tease her, but he thought it was just a phase, like quilting or knitting or . . .’ Evie looked like she might cry. ‘Only she’s had those books forever and we’ve been talking and it’s important, I think – we think – to put it back.’ She leant forward her expression urgent. ‘And you should do it quickly, and not let her see, because – I was looking for . . .’ She glanced at Kym. ‘I was looking for something else and . . . When I found the shoe, she’d put it in the Moses basket. She hid it in our attic and there are – mirrors. It’s hard to describe, they’re all facing the wall.’

‘We should get Maude,’ said Kym, ‘take her up to Gran’s and then – we can put it back, yeah?’

Nell thought for a moment, then she stood, picking up a candle and led the way into the hall.

*

‘Carolyn?’ Nell held up her candle, shadows danced and wavered around the hall.

She was sitting at the bottom of the stairs, her head resting against the banister, her eyes closed.

‘Carolyn, are you OK?’ Nell asked.

‘Fine. I’m fine.’ She pulled herself wearily to her feet. ‘You shouldn’t have come,’ she said to Evie. ‘Everything is – under control.’

‘I was worried.’

‘So I heard.’ Her gazed travelled over Kym and she smiled. ‘And you brought your friend too.’

‘Mum—’

Carolyn shook her head. ‘No,’ she said.

‘I just need to speak to Maude,’ said Nell, but as she moved towards the staircase, Carolyn stood, blocking her way. She was still holding the vegetable knife, the blade gleaming, the edge still a little bloodied.

‘No,’ she said again, ‘there’s no need. She’s fine.’

‘Mum, please,’ said Evie.

‘Don’t fuss,’ said Carolyn. She gestured towards the kitchen, and after a moment’s thought, Nell nodded and led the way back.

‘Why don’t you tell us about the mirrors,’ she said, putting her candle back on the table.

‘They reflect negative energy away from the house. Sympathetic magic. Protection. It’s a simple principle, really,’ Carolyn said. She stayed back by the door, in the shadows, blocking the way. High up in the house there was a distant thud.

Nell glanced at the ceiling. ‘Maude,’ she said.

‘She’s fine,’ Carolyn said. ‘She’s sleeping.’

And then they heard it, travelling along the ceiling above them, the halting rhythm, one-two, one-two, one-two.

‘Please,’ said Nell, but Carolyn didn’t seem to be listening, her gaze fell on the shoe on the table, and she moved closer.