They returned to the kitchen, where Jack paused by the hearth. He could still recall its cosy warmth and the comforting smells of his mother’s cooking. He remembered how the family used to gather round the fire in the depths of winter, his father regaling them with stories of his sea voyages, his mother smiling and stirring the pot, baby Jess cradled in her arms. He remembered burning himself once on the iron grate, how his mother had tended to him with herbs and a poultice. He recalled the day he’d said goodbye to Jess, his sister crying in Mrs Winters’ arms as he and his father packed for their long voyage to the Japans. That was the last time he’d seen his sister.

‘Are you coming?’ asked Akiko, her tone gentle, her expression kind.

Jack nodded. At the same time a shadow passed across the boarded-up window. Darting over, he peered through a gap into the back garden and caught a glimpse of a black-garbed figure. Jack’s breath caught in his throat. His first thought was … Ninjas. But that was ridiculous. He was about as far away from the shinobi warriors as he could get.

But someone was outside.

Putting a finger to his lips, he exchanged a look of warning with Akiko and Yori. They crept into the parlour and were almost at the front door when a tall figure in a black waxed cloak blocked their escape. His face was a nightmarish white-beaked mask, his eyes hidden behind thick circles of glass. Upon his head he wore a wide-brimmed black hat and in his gloved hands he carried a slim wooden cane.

‘What are you doing?’ The voice was harsh, nasal and muffled by the pointed beak.

‘I … I … was looking for my sister,’ Jack stammered. He found himself frozen to the spot as his childhood fears of the sinister plague doctors came rushing back.

‘This is a plague house,’ said the doctor. ‘You should not be in here.’

‘This is his father’s cottage,’ explained Akiko, her face pale, as she too was unsettled by the grim figure.

‘Still, you shouldn’t be here,’ the doctor growled.

‘You’re right,’ Yori replied, smiling cordially and making for the door. ‘Our mistake.’

But the plague doctor beat him back with his cane. ‘You could be infected now. You can’t leave.’

‘But we haven’t touched anything,’ said Akiko earnestly. ‘We’ve barely been here.’

The plague doctor appeared unmoved by her pleas. ‘All the occupants of this house perished. They’re dead and buried in a plague pit. And now, because of your foolish risk-taking, you might be joining them too.’