“Of course you do,” Kate said calmly. “I’m sure we can find a balance. Right, Nathan?”

Dad’s shoulders seemed to slump. “Sure,” he said. “If that’s what you want.” 190

“I’d like the tower to stay unlocked as well,” I went on quickly. “It’s nice up there. I find it … peaceful.”

I had to force the lie out through gritted teeth, but Dad said, “Well, there’s not much I can do about that anyway, as there don’t seem to be any spare chains or padlocks around here. Just be careful on the staircase. Kate and I have some work we should do today actually. If we take Charlie with us, then you’ll have the place to yourself for the afternoon. How would that be?”

“Sounds good.”

I felt bad pushing Dad away but I wouldn’t be able to find out what had happened to Rosie if we were together all the time. As it was, I felt a chill touch my blood at the impossibility of the task ahead of me.

Later, we had a subdued lunch. No one was much in a talking mood, even if any of us had known what to say. It didn’t help that Charlie kept complaining about there being someone under the table again. He sounded so convinced that I even glanced down myself at one point, but of course there was no one. It was a relief when Dad and Kate finally packed 191up their equipment, left me with one of the walkie-talkies and instructions to contact them if I needed anything, then bundled Charlie into his windbreaker and went out, leaving me free to return to the spiral staircase and the trapdoor leading to the tower.

I was so much more frightened to go up there this time, but I pushed all that to the back of my mind, heaved the door aside and climbed into the darkness, making my way to the Strangers’ Room first. Or at least I tried to – but when I pushed against the door I met resistance. I felt a sudden flare of hope inside my chest. Perhaps Rosie was on the other side? Maybe she’d fallen asleep leaning against it or something. This was the last place I’d seen her so perhaps she was simply back? It wouldn’t make sense, but I wouldn’t care – I’d just be so happy and relieved to see her again.