Going to school for the first time had taken its toll on Hugh at first, but Verity coped well. She had the strength of character that other children feared. She protected Hugh, like she had done all her life. It was clear to teachers that both children were intelligent beyond their years, but Verity was less focused, with a sudden desire to paint, always using Hugh as her model.

‘Do you think they are a bit too close?’ Verity heard Penny say to Rowan one evening. She had left her room to grab a drink from the kitchen, and been about to enter when she heard their hushed voices. ‘She’s always painting pictures of him, Rowan. I just find it all a bit … well … I don’t know exactly.’

‘They’ve had a weird upbringing, love,’ Rowan said over the sound of clanking plates and glasses. And through the crack in the door, Verity could see them washing up. ‘They’re bound to be close. Need each other, even now. Give the kids time.’

‘Yeah, you’re right.’ Penny dashed her fair hair from her face, her round cheeks flushed as she swirled a glass around in the bubbles. ‘They’re nice enough kids, they really are. I’m probably over-reacting.’

‘And he’s so polite.’

She looked at her husband. ‘Yes! Scarily so at times – he doesn’t seem to have any, I don’t know, strength. It’s as though he’s had the life sucked out of him, poor lamb.’

‘His father knocked it out of him from what I can make out. Felix Flynn was an evil man.’

Penny nodded. ‘I still think Verity smothers the boy; he doesn’t seem to be able to escape her to become his own person.’

‘Maybe I’ll take him out at the weekend without her. We could kick a ball about. Perhaps go for a burger.’ Rowan loved his sport and watched a lot of football on the TV.

‘He doesn’t look like a footballer to me.’ Penny laughed. She laughed about Hugh. ‘But it’s a good idea. I’ll try to keep Verity occupied.’

‘Well, there’s no harm in trying, is there?’

‘No. It will do him good to get away from his sister for a bit.’

*

It was midnight when Verity and Hugh left the house, their bags packed.

‘I don’t get why we’re leaving,’ Hugh said, as they crept down the path. ‘I like Penny and Rowan. I like it here.’

‘We can’t stay. They’re going to try and separate us, Hugh,’ she whispered. ‘You wouldn’t want that, would you?’

‘No … but.’ He looked over his shoulder as they padded down the road. ‘Where are we going, Verity? They were so kind to us.’

She grabbed his hand. Pulled him along. ‘I’ll work something out, Hugh. I always do.’

Chapter 18

Halloween Weekend 2019

Alice