The mirror. I stand in front of it now, waiting for that dark, sinister shape to appear in the reflection behind me. There is nothing. The air remains still, there is no breath on the back of my neck, no sign of Agnes on the stairs. The house is quiet, the baby fed and back to sleep, Mina still slumbering on in her bedroom, the duvet tugged right up to her dark curls. The mirror is where all this started – finding it in the attic and then discovering the feathers beneath the floorboards. Once the mirror was hung that’s when Agnes made her presence really known. I think of Lillian Sparks, of her baby and how they took her away, called her mad. Agnes is part of it all, I am sure, just like Elsie Sparks was sure. I don’t have the first idea of how to make a charm to protect the house, but I can get rid of the mirror. Taking a deep breath, I grip the frame on either side of the glass and lift it from where it hangs. It’s heavy, and I remember how Rav and I struggled to get it down the stairs, me laughing as he called out instructions. Was that the last time Rav and I laughed together? Somehow, I manage to manoeuvre the mirror out to the kitchen and through the back door, where I lean it against the house. It occurs to me that maybe I should smash it – would that stop her, or is it too late? I am still so cold, despite the warm sunshine that is beginning to peep through the trees, and I rub my hands over my arms. Maybe removing it from the house will be enough. Please, let removing it be enough.

An hour later, I have every intention of taking Mina to preschool, despite my sluggish tiredness, but everything changes on our walk to school. As we turn into the High Street, I see Tara, with the pushchair this time, talking to Evie outside The Daisy Chain. At first glance I don’t think too much of it, until Evie goes inside, and Naomi comes out. I can’t hear their conversation, but the way Tara kisses Naomi warmly on the cheek tells me that both of them have lied to me about how well they know each other. I freeze, pulling Mina close to me.