Dom in his corner. Paul asleep at the table. Keira and Frank had slipped off to the front room together – or had Liz (for admittedly she’d dozed a little herself) heard their footsteps creaking up the stairs? Testing the suspension on the bed again, no doubt. Liz chuckled. No harm if they did; might get another baby started. If there was a future for anyone other than Them, it belonged to the Harpers now.

Still no sign of Jess, the silly cow. Upstairs feeling sorry for herself, no doubt. She’d always been useless. But Liz didn’t mind today. Today was for resting up, to prepare for the final night, which was coming soon enough: today was the solstice, the shortest day and longest night. What better night for the Dance? Let Jess keep to her room, then; it kept the silly chit out of Liz’s and everyone else’s way.

What time was it? Liz consulted her wristwatch and grunted to herself. Past eleven, already. The sun would be down by four o’clock; by half-past at the latest it’d be full dark; sooner if there was more snow and heavy cloud. They’d best be ready.

Not much to do, of course. There shouldn’t be anything left to take care of. But best to be certain. Best consult the Bible.

Liz reached for her stick, rose grunting to her feet. Paul blinked at her, half-awake, spittle on his lips. She shook her head and waved to indicate there was nothing of concern. His eyes closed again.

She limped down the hall. No Frank and Keira in the front room, so she’d been right about the footsteps on the stairs. No creaking from above; no doubt they’d done whatever they’d had in mind and fallen asleep.

On the top floor, Liz paused for a second outside Jess’ bedroom. No sound came from behind the closed door, and the girl normally snored like a pig with her crooked back. The brat wasn’t normally so silent either. Maybe it’d died in the night. Might be a blessing if it had. Or not. Even if it turned out as weak as its mother they’d need all the new blood they could get, to inherit whatever earth remained. Or to offer Them a sacrifice, if it came to that.

But Liz had more important things to concern herself with now. She went past Jess’ room and opened her office door.

Where’d she put the damned Bible? She’d thought it was on her desk, but it wasn’t now. Must have put it on a shelf. Or under the desk, perhaps? No, she’d never do anything so stupid – too easy for mice to get at. The Family Bible was far too valuable for that.