Just after she moved in, she invited her mother and stepfather over. She hated the way Sally Groves’s eyes widened as she entered each room; the way her head bobbed stupidly as she took it all in. ‘Well, Olive,’ she said, perched on the couch next to Max, her lipsticked mouth pulling into a squishy pout as she sipped the expensive champagne Dean had insisted on opening, ‘aren’t you lucky. This is certainly quite a house. And Dean’s girls are lovely.’

Oli couldn’t wait for them to leave. For Sally to stop looking at everything—to stop being so obvious.

She puts her glass down too quickly, and its rattle against the marble echoes around the house. Through the archway, the gauzy curtains in the lounge flare out from the window. Resettle.

The house was renovated right before the twins were born; Dean mentioned once that the last lick of paint was applied just in time. A new kitchen and bathroom, the entire upstairs remodelled. State-of-the-art technology in every room, security systems and surround sound. Oli can imagine the petite detective stalking through the sunlit rooms, gliding down the staircase like a cat. Dean mentioned a while ago that Oli should suggest some changes, make sure it feels like her home too, but she can’t see how her relaxed bohemian style will work with the sleek lines and monochrome colour scheme.

The grandfather clock starts to chime. An uneasy feeling takes hold. The high ceilings and abundance of space make her feel vulnerable. Even though she was often alone in her old apartment, she always felt safe. The old couple next door bickered constantly, the dog on level one yapped at people walking past, and the three young guys in number five often had friends over. The flat was hardly big enough for a kitchen table yet it was all she needed.

Oddly, her favourite room in this house is Isabelle’s old study.

Oli straightens, her ears tuning in to the silence. She quickly texts Dean. Hey, are you still at work?

Dots appear on her screen, followed by a message. Sure am, why? You’re at home?

She pictures the wedding dress in the cupboard upstairs. Just wrapping up a few things at the office. I’ll leave to pick up the girls soon.