We are all in the kitchen – just as people tend to gather in kitchen’s at parties, the same appears to be the case in times of crisis. Barb is sitting at the table, shivering, her hands wrapped around a mug of tea. She didn’t even grumble when I didn’t give her the bone china cup of hers. She must be in shock. I can’t sit down, even though my legs are wobbly; I have to keep moving. I’ve made more tea than required, for something to do. I’d rather have something stronger, but I’m afraid that would dull my senses even more. Nick, Patrick and … Tim – I struggle to think of him as anything other than my Richard – are standing, leaning against the longer worktop. All in a line. The sight is surreal.

It’s Tim who starts the ball rolling. This is his show now. Despite not being here for over thirty years, he seems to be the one taking centre stage.

‘You were right about the links, you know, Nick,’ Tim says.

I find my voice before Nick can respond. The questions burning inside my brain suddenly needing to be answered. ‘Have you been in the house when I’ve not been here?’ I ask.

‘I know I owe you a huge explanation, Amber—’

‘Yes, you do. But answer the question. Have you?’

‘On a few occasions, yes – I’m sorry. I needed to … arrange … a few things.’

‘You took the letter from Leo’s school bag?’ It’s clear to me now that the strange goings-on might not have been entirely down to the missing thirteenth viewer, Wayne.

‘No. I didn’t do that. One of the first times I came here I did move the picture, though – the one that used to hang on the landing when I lived here – from the shed to inside again. I suppose I hoped you’d hang it up; I wanted to leave it as a sign for Mum to let her know I’d been here; that I was aware of what was going on. Then it disappeared, so I found a replica, cut out the face. She always told me the boy reminded her of me, so I—’

‘Really? That was you?’ My voice rasps. I release a large sigh. All I can do is hold my head; no further response is forthcoming; I’m too stunned to comprehend his actions.