‘Right. A legend. Of course.’ I smile, but I am thinking of the scene that popped into my mind before, of a woman, dressed in dark clothing, standing in the doorway to my cottage. ‘I don’t believe in all of that.’ I pause. ‘Not really.’ As I say the words, I feel that same unsettling feeling wash over me, the way it did when I woke this morning, the dream etched behind my eyes. ‘Tara, it was lovely of you to invite me – us – this morning, but I should probably get going. I’ve still got a lot to do – unpacking, you know …’ I get to my feet and place the baby back into his pram, laying the blanket loosely over him and, raising a hand to the other women, I call out, ‘Lovely to meet you!’ and walk quickly towards the door.

‘Allie, wait.’ Tara follows me as I reach the door, one hand already pushing it open. ‘I hope we didn’t upset you. Miranda can be … well, she can be a bit intense sometimes.’

‘I’m not upset,’ I say. ‘I forgot Mina has … a doctor’s appointment. I have to go and collect her early. Sorry, it totally slipped my mind.’

Tara looks at me for a moment, head on one side. ‘Are you sure? It’s just a story you know, and it’s just what it’s like around here. Everyone has a ghost story to tell.’

‘No, of course, I know it’s just a story.’ I turn back to where Miranda is talking to one of the other mothers. As if she feels my eyes on her she looks up and I look away quickly, back to Tara. ‘I hope I haven’t offended Miranda, saying that I didn’t believe.’

Tara shakes her head. ‘Ahh no, she’ll be fine. She’s the only one out of all of us who is really invested in it – the rest of us don’t take it quite so seriously. It’s just part of living here. I’ll see you at drop-off on Monday?’ I nod and wheel the baby out of the too-warm hall, round to the door for the preschool, trying to shake off the cold feeling that wraps its way around me every time I think of Miranda saying Agnes Gowdie.