Ann’s heart was pounding, yet she felt defiant. ‘Yes, what if my husband was trying to abduct my two dear children? What if he was attempting to kill me and so I had to kill him in self defence?’

Why? Why did she mention the very possibility that she had killed him? Now she was the fool.

‘These, Mrs Craig are all matters for the court to decide. But for now, we must ask you to accompany us to the police station for further questions.’

She felt stifled. ‘Can I see my children first?’ She could hardly breathe.

‘They are at the Donaldsons’ house. The doctor is elsewhere but Mrs Donaldson has kindly agreed to take care of them until further notice. It is best that you do not see them.’

Ann got to her feet and stumbled into the hall. Where usually a servant would rush to open the front door, there was no one. All was silent. She pulled her black velvet hat firmly down to meet her high collar as the men put on their capes. Outside, she looked back up at the house and saw a curtain twitch upstairs in the nursery. So, her entire staff was in on this.

CHAPTER 56

Chapter 56

2015

Fiona and Pete walked into the kitchen and sniffed the air.

‘Your mum been baking, Fi?’

‘No idea. If so, it’s the first time for ages. She’s been kind of weird on the sedatives from the doctor, but she’s coming out of it.’

Fiona went to the foot of the stairs and hollered, ‘Anyone home?’

‘Just changing out of my school uniform. Granny’s made scones.’

Pete’s eyes crinkled on hearing his voice.

They both sat down at the table and waited. The thud on the stairs was followed by a sudden halt. They both looked up at Jamie standing at the door, immobile, his mouth open.

‘Pete, you’re back!’ He ran into the room and flung himself at him.

‘Hi, mate, how’re you doing?’ Pete bent down to give him a big hug then pulled his ear the way he used to.

Dorothy joined them at the door and Pete stood up and went to give her a kiss on the cheek.

‘Do they not eat in Australia? Look how thin you’ve got.’

‘I know, lovesick.’ He smiled at Fiona. ‘Dot, I’m so sorry about Stru, what a loss. How are you doing?’

‘I’m fine just so long as no one is too nice to me,’ she said, as she went to put the scones from the wire rack on a plate. ‘Put the kettle on, Fi.’

‘So why did you leave, Pete?’

‘Jamie, it’s a long story, but it was really bad of me. I hurt you and your mum and Granny and Pa too. You remember I used to tell you that some boys were just idiots? Well, turns out I was an idiot too.’

Jamie giggled.