She closed her eyes for a moment. ‘About Salome and where we take her for walks and she sometimes asks when you’ve been away.’ She wrinkled her nose. ‘She’s not like the art teacher who asks me all sorts of questions.’ She flexed her fingers. ‘But she always talks to me when I’m trying to put my fingers in the right position.’

He went quiet and he said so softly she could barely hear him, ‘They knew but they turned me anyway . . . I’m as good as dead already.’

‘What Daddy? Who is dead?’

‘No one, my angel.’ He tickled her then took his hankie and cleaned her face. ‘You don’t keep secrets from me, do you?’

She shook her head. ‘Never.’

‘I love you.’

‘I love you, Daddy.’ She gripped the blanket tightly. ‘You love Mummy, too?’

He frowned. ‘I love Mummy, too.’

‘That’s good.’ She released the blanket.

‘You’re not to worry about anything, little one.’

‘I won’t.’

‘You’d tell me if you were?’

She pushed her hair back. ‘I’m sorry I went into the larder. I shouldn’t have.’ She nodded and looked away. Mummy had said to tell no one what she saw but that wouldn’t mean Daddy.

‘Ah.’ He glanced at the chest of drawers. ‘You haven’t told anyone have you?’

She shook her head and closed her eyes, thinking of Mummy. ‘No.’

‘Good.’ He kissed her cheek. ‘Nothing to concern yourself with. Just forget it.’

She nodded vigorously. That was a word she liked. Daddy had taught it to her. ‘I will.’

‘Good.’

‘Will you tell me a story?’

He smiled. ‘Which one?’

‘The little princess.’

‘I will if you close your eyes and relax.’

She snuggled down in the bed and looked up at him. His eyes were shining, and she reached out and touched his hand. He looked sad.

‘Eyes closed,’ he said.

‘Yes, Daddy.’

‘Once upon a time in a castle far away lived a little princess who was so loved by her parents that she glowed with happiness. She and her little dog Salome ran through the kingdom bringing joy wherever she went . . .’

Diana listened, not hearing the words any more just Daddy’s voice telling her he loved her. Everything would be fine.

THE CAUSEWAY

THE CAUSEWAY

66. Lottie

66

Lottie

5 August 2018, 12.10 a.m.

Alex helped Gramps up to bed. Lottie had suggested earlier on he might want to use a different room, but he refused. He wanted to be with Gran while he could. She could understand that.

She looked for her mother, but she hadn’t returned from her walk and she’d been gone for ages. As Alex came downstairs, Lottie was pulling out the big old torch.

‘Problem?’

‘No, Mum’s not back so I’m off to have a look.’

‘Want company?’

She paused. It would be good, but her mother might not feel that way. ‘Thanks, but no.’