‘Christopher,’ said Mrs Parker, moving towards him, hands out like she was greeting the Pope. ‘It’s fine, you don’t need to …’

Mrs Parker stopped talking as Christopher shot her a look. I noticed how wiry his eyebrows were. He didn’t seem to have any lips – his mouth just a gill in his face.

‘Don’t let me stop you,’ said Christopher, to the room in general. ‘I was enjoying the masterly speculations.’

Cordelia’s hand was in mine. We were both twisted, staring at the figure by the wall. He gave me a quick glance.

‘It’s nice to see you Felicity,’ he said, polite as you like. ‘All grown-up, I see. Two children and just the one husband. I was sorry to hear about your mother. Brian and James, your boys, am I right? Youngest one’s got spirit.’

I was finding it hard to breathe. How did he know about my life? Where had he been? Why had he let us all grieve for him?

‘You’re Christopher,’ said Cordelia, beside me. ‘I’d heard you were dead.’

He flashed a quick smile, showing perfect white teeth. I glimpsed the metal points of the bridgework. They were dentures.

‘You’re Mrs Hemlock,’ he said. ‘Quite the character.’

‘Yes?’ she asked, and through the fear I felt a thrill at her defiance.

‘Shall I share your story?’ he asked. ‘Would you mind awfully?’

‘I’ve never hidden any of it,’ she said, and she even found the strength to give a little laugh. ‘I’ve only one friend in Gilsland and there’s nothing I wouldn’t tell her so if you think you can shut me up with threats you’re very mistaken.’

I looked from her to Christopher, who had taken out a silver case and was lighting himself a long white cigarette.

‘And your husband?’ he asked, breathing out more grey.

‘He can fight his own battles.’

Christopher considered her, chewing at the skin below his mouth.

‘It’s worth it, is it?’ he asked her, and barely sounded interested in the question, let alone her answer. ‘Nowhere to live. No more money. Without him you’d have nothing.’

She laughed properly at that. ‘What have I got?’ she asked, looking like she was ready to fight. ‘Somebody else’s house. Somebody else’s life. I did what I did for Stefan and the world took him from me, so to be honest, I don’t give a damn about your threats. I want to know why there was a body in the Kinmont tomb.’