It’s nearing midnight and my body is screaming out for sleep. Not that I’d be able to fall into a satisfying slumber after this evening’s events. But I do want everyone out of my house. I need my own headspace to process everything that’s been said.

I need to think about what to do about the remains of a dead man in my garden.

Tim has been talking for the past ten minutes: explaining what will happen if the developers get hold of the land and unearth his father’s bones. I’m only catching snippets because at the moment “Richard is Tim, and Tim is a killer” are the only words I can hear repeating over and over in my head. I am gathering they want me to keep quiet, though – and they certainly don’t want me to sell the house. Nick is in agreement with this.

Which gets me thinking.

Nick was also extremely reluctant sell this house to the developers from the outset – citing his support of the village, his obligation to the other villagers to ensure the green land was kept. Was he really oblivious to all that went on here, in this house? Where had he been when his brother was murdering his father? I try to be objective. Nick might be against the developers, but he was happy to sell the house to another family, so he can’t know about his dad.

Can he?

Aside from myself, it’s still hard to trust anyone in this room.

‘I think we’ve had enough revelations for one night,’ I say. ‘We should pick this up again tomorrow, after we’ve slept on it.’

Barb immediately agrees and stands up.

‘Where are you going to go, Mum?’ Nick asks.

‘You could drop me back, couldn’t you, love?’

A laugh escapes me. The normality of Barb’s words, the ease in which she speaks them, is incredible. Like we haven’t just been talking about her murdering husband and son.

Two killers in one family.

‘Are you okay, Amber?’

‘No, Nick. Are you?’ I say, sharply.

‘Obviously not. Stupid question. Sorry.’ He takes a step closer to me, but I back away. His face falls. God. What a mess. He must be feeling so lost. His assumed-dead brother turns up after thirty-odd years to purposely begin a relationship with his ex-wife and if that wasn’t staggering enough, it comes to light he also killed their father, who allegedly abducted and murdered teenage girls. And his dear mother knew it all and kept it from him. Tears burn my eyes. I reach forward and grab Nick’s arm, pulling him back to me. I wrap my arms around him and hold on to him with all the strength remaining in my body.

‘I’m so sorry,’ I say.

‘Me too,’ he says, releasing his arms from around me. ‘I’ll take Mum home with me.’