‘And Rav? Did he know?’ She puts out the cigarette, running the butt under the tap and throwing the damp end in the bin. A thin trickle of smoke follows her into the kitchen, and I wonder how I will explain it to Rav if he smells it later.

‘Yes,’ I say quietly and watch her mouth twist into a moue of distaste. She has never approved of Rav. ‘Rav knew about the history of the house but he didn’t tell me. He said he didn’t want to upset me. But I am upset, and not just because he knew. He knew the history behind this house, and now when I tell him about these things, he just waves them away, says they’re nothing. Why doesn’t he believe me when I tell him that something doesn’t feel right?’

My mother opens her mouth to speak, and I know it will be something derogatory about Rav. I narrow my eyes and she pauses, as if thinking, proving me right.

‘Witches aren’t all bad, you know,’ she says eventually, as she sits back at the table. ‘Most of the time they were just healers, nothing sinister, but people did not understand them. I did not bring you up to believe in fairies and magic and fanciful things. But I am not agreeing with Rav, that you are imagining things.’

‘I’m not saying I believe in it,’ I snap, that spark of irritation reigniting. ‘I’m saying that since I brought the baby home, maybe even before but I didn’t notice it, things have been … off. When we first moved into this house, I was so excited to be here, so looking forward to building a home with Rav for our children, but lately I feel … I feel as though something, or someone is here, in the house. As if someone is waiting.’ I pause for a moment, before voicing my real fear. ‘I’m worried that the children aren’t safe. That I’m not safe.’

My mother shrugs. ‘I had these same feelings when you were born. It is a difficult time for a woman – you lose your sense of identity. You are a wife, a mother, you are not just Allie anymore. Children, they are a big responsibility. You are tired, your body has been through so much. It can be overwhelming.’ Her face darkens, and I think back to my childhood, growing up tiptoeing around her. I don’t want to be like that with Mina and the baby.

‘Do you think I’m being overly dramatic? That it’s just hormones playing havoc with my emotions? That’s what Naomi thinks.’