‘Let’s pray together, darling,’ Pa said at last. I’d been hoping he might suggest it, surprised that he hadn’t done so already. Not that I believed it would make an ounce of difference, but by then I was prepared to try anything.

We slipped onto our knees.

‘Dearest Father,’ Pa said, after a very long pause. ‘We beseech you to hear our prayer today and return our dearest Jimmy safely to us . . .’ His voice cracked and he seemed unable to go on. I waited. He sat back on his heels, head in his hands. ‘Oh God, answer me,’ he groaned. ‘Just tell me you’re there.’

I squeezed my eyes shut and took up the prayer, trying not to think about Pa and his failing faith. ‘Dear God, please bring my brother back home. We love him so dearly. He’s done nothing wrong and we are worried for his safety. If you have any mercy at all, please, please, please do this for us.’ In my head I added: If you actually exist, then for heaven’s sake help us now.

‘Amen,’ we said.

‘Thank you, my darling,’ Pa said, hauling himself back into his chair.

Kit arrived on his bicycle, panting from his ride up the hill. ‘No sign, I’m afraid. But I’ve found Robin. She’d been blown right across the lake and into a tree. There’s a ruddy great rip out of the canvas. Not sure whether we’ll be able to fix her, to be honest. Pa will be furious.’

‘Thank you for looking, Christopher,’ Pa said. ‘We are most grateful.’

‘And I found the parrot,’ he added. ‘On Pirate’s Lair, just as we thought.’

‘Jimmy will be pleas . . .’ The words died in my mouth.

‘Yes, he will,’ Kit said firmly. ‘And I’m sure he’ll be back soon enough, so you can tell him. Should I stay?’ he whispered as we returned to the hall. ‘Or join the search parties?’

‘That’s kind, but I’m not sure we . . .’

‘I understand. But I don’t suppose I’ll be going to London after all – not for another day or two. I’ll drop by later to see if you need me.’ He gave a sweet smile. ‘He’ll turn up soon, I’m sure of it.’

‘I’m just so afraid, Kit.’

A knock on the door made us both jump. My heart leaped, of course, but it was only Blackman again. Behind his back, Kit pulled a face of mock horror that, for a brief second, made me smile.

After Kit left, I showed Blackman into the living room. As I left him and Pa, to fetch a fresh pot of tea, I heard him say, ‘Whatever is that boy doing here?’ I could have emptied the boiling kettle over his head. He sounded so contemptuous, and I couldn’t understand why. Whatever had Kit done? He’d been nothing but helpful and kind.