‘I won’t say no,’ he said. ‘Permission to come aboard?’

‘Boots off,’ I said, refilling the kettle and peering out through the glass. The rain had eased off a touch but it was still torrential out there.

He started kicking his right boot off with the toe of his left. Leaned in the doorway, one big old hand on the jamb. Then she said it. Said what I hoped she would keep to herself.

‘A tree came down in the churchyard, smashed through the old crypt. There was a man. A man in a blue suit and shiny shoes. He was dead.’

Fairfax stayed as he was. Stayed staring at the toe of his boot. Said nowt until I started cursing because the kettle was overflowing and soaking my sleeve.

‘Tree come down?’ he asked, eventually, straightening his back. ‘The old laurel? Crying shame. Planted back in Reiver days, I’ll bet.’

Cordelia’s eyes burned into my back. I could hear temper in her voice. Temper at us. At Gilsland folk. Northern and daft and set in our ways. The sort of people who didn’t want to know. The sort who didn’t ask and didn’t tell and minded their own bloody business. I think she hated us, then. I could feel it. Pure flaming loathing, like the tip of a poker. If I’d stuck my tongue out the spit in my mouth would have sizzled on the air.

‘We don’t know what we saw,’ I said, as brightly as we could. ‘But aye, yon tree made a right mess. Crying shame for the Kinmonts.’

‘Not many of ’em left,’ said Fairfax, one boot on and one off. ‘Last of them is up at Greenhead and they won’t have money for repairs. Maybe a whip-round, eh? I’d best assess the damage. My job, after all, though there ain’t much wardening to be done when the church ain’t being used.’

I heard her stand. Heard the rustle of her clothes and the crinkle of paper.

‘I’ll show you,’ she said, flatly. ‘I’m warmed through. I’m fine. Come with me and I’ll show you what we saw.’

Fairfax gave a sigh. Rolled his eyes a little. ‘Hold the tea, Felicity. The lassie wants me to get another soaking.’

‘Lassie?’ she asked, cocking her head.

‘Stay where you are, miss. I couldn’t live with myself if you got hurt. I’ll pop down and have a gander and if there’s owt as can be done I’ll go straight to Samson’s. Sgt Chivers drinks in there afternoons. We’ll have him back up in a flash.’

‘I want to go,’ said Cordelia, though she sounded as though she could be persuaded to stay by the fireside.