Beyond the boardwalk was a timber stepping stone. Behind that were three more. Four simple stepping stones close enough for almost anyone to navigate safely, but far enough apart that the Dead would lose their balance and fall. Peter held both arms out either side of him and strode each one in turn until he crossed the boardwalk on the other side. Pumped by this little triumph, he looked back to tell Cooper. But he and Snowball were now faint inside the rising steam so he turned back.

A wooden bridge jutted out from the main boardwalk to connect to a timber disc that would become a complete circle with a moat once the bridge had been winched round. Set in the middle, at a safe distance from the bubbling pools below, was a tiny log cabin turned driftwood grey by the elements. It was small, just a cube really, with one square window framed by a single gingham curtain. But it had been made into a home. Three woollen stockings hung from moose antlers above the door. Two were a matching pair with brightly stitched holly and red beads for berries. The third was a tiny knitted bootie. A baby’s. Peter felt a sudden tug in his belly. In the fifteen years since the Dead first walked the planet, the lake had lost count of the days and only had the seasons to guide them. But perhaps it would be Christmas soon. Peter crossed the bridge, smiling up at that little symbol of joy, and lifted his fist to the front door ready to say his hellos. But he held back from knocking.

The door was ajar. Peter thought to call out so as to alert the family of his friendly presence here. But something stopped him from doing that also. Warmth radiating from the hearth broke across the doorway. Someone had been here a short while ago. But the cabin was empty now. For some reason, he was sure of that. He stepped away from the door, uneasy. There were no signs of a disturbance. The door wasn’t splintered and showed no signs of forced entry. The little square window to its side was completely intact. But something bad had happened here. And recently.