‘I found her, you see.’ Her eyes were wide with shock. ‘I found her that very morning, before Miss Gillies had even received her present. There was a doll’s house in the nursery that Greer loved. Of all their toys, she went again and again to that, but I saw something that day that frightened me. That still frightens me. She did not see me at the playroom door, so absorbed was she in her game. She had taken a little doll and as I watched, she placed its head in the fire. She held it there until the flame caught its hair. I left and did the first-floor fireplaces, and when I had finished I crept upstairs again. She had gone by then but I looked and found the doll in the house, hidden beneath some furniture – its cheek burned black.’

The silence deepened; the breath of something wicked turned in the air.

Mrs Lenister’s features were stretched tight in recollection. ‘I remember her expression as she did it, caught in the firelight – she was happy.’ Mrs Lenister shrank back from the bed and gave me a sharp look. ‘I’ve told you this only because I think you should take care with her and I know that you will not repeat it.’

‘She makes you afraid, doesn’t she, Mrs Lenister?’

She stood. ‘The truth is that she made me afraid when she was only seven and she still does now. I am always cautious with her. Always.’ She leaned down. ‘Take heed. You are far too careless in your manner when it comes to Greer. I’m telling you, don’t get on her wrong side – not if you know what’s good for you.’

I closed my eyes and thought of the doll’s house and what I had taken – too late, I thought. Too late.

31

Mrs Lenister was barely out of the door when Mary ran in and sat beside me, examining my face with such anxious eyes that in spite of my recent dismay I could not help but smile.

‘I’m all right, Mary,’ I said. ‘Don’t worry. It’s just bruises.’

I was glad of her company. We played cards until Greer brought up a tray and Mary went to eat with her aunt. I could not look at Greer. There was a hot drink, spiced and alcoholic, and after I had eaten, the pain receded and I was too drowsy to think.

Flames threw swirling shapes to the walls and the house grew quiet but for the creakings and groanings of wood. I fell in and out of sleep, in and out of fear, but my head and body ached almost too much to inhabit it.

Later, I woke to Greer standing over me. She did not speak but glared, her breath warm on my skin. I tried to turn away but she put her hand to my cheek and forced me to look at her.