‘What did I say?’ replied Ginny. ‘The girl’s a star. That fancy education’s definitely not wasted on you, Nina, love.’

Nina wondered what the Emers would make of the scene. The thought made her smile.

And so they continued digging. While it wasn’t a big job, the snow had become hard and icy and Nina’s hands quickly turned purple and orange. She wished she was wearing her gloves, but neither Tess nor Ginny had theirs on and she didn’t want to be different.

It was Tess who started the snow fight. She threw the first snowball at her mother, who threw one back, and then Nina joined in, and in no time they were flinging snow at each other, the crystals flying through the air, reflecting the light like diamonds. There was whooping and squealing and shrieking, and it was brilliant. The snow slipped down Nina’s back and seeped into her mouth, but she couldn’t remember when she’d laughed so much. Her chest hurt from laughing. So giddy was she that when the car drew up she barely noticed. The low sun glinted in her eyes, and a few seconds passed before she recognised her father.

‘Hi, Dad,’ she said, as Tess and Ginny stood beside her, panting and giggling from the fight.

‘What’s going on here?’ he asked.

‘We’ve been burying the fish fingers,’ said Tess.

The sun ducked behind a cloud, and for the first time Nina saw her dad properly. The set of his face gave her an uneasy feeling.

‘Is everything okay?’ asked Ginny.

He hesitated before replying. ‘No, it’s not. Nina, I want you to come home with me.’

‘Why?’ she asked.

‘You know why, so do as you’re told and get into the car.’

Her father rarely got angry in public. Unlike some parents who became narky for no reason at all, he always thought everything through.

‘I won’t ask again,’ he said.

Tess’s mam tucked her hair behind her ears and squinted towards the sun, which had come sliding back out. ‘I’m mystified here,’ she said. ‘I can’t picture Nina doing anything wrong. She’s a great girl, a credit to you.’

‘Let me be the judge of that. And, by the way, if you have to mess about in the snow, could you not find somewhere more appropriate? The village is in mourning. People don’t want to see this type of carry-on.’

‘Ah, give over, Emmet. Where’s the harm in the girls having some fun? They won’t be young for ever.’

By now, Nina was trembling. Please stop it, she thought. Please don’t fall out here on the street.

‘I’m not going to make matters any worse than they already are,’ said her dad. ‘Now, for the last time, Nina, get into the car. We’re going home.’