As ever, Gina was not far from Dora’s own thoughts either: her difficult daughter. If only she knew whether Gina was all right; if only she’d come home, explain her part in the business with the stolen items and face her punishment. How could Gina herself rest easy with this mess and uncertainty hanging over her?

Mrs Stellion was lost without Gina. Dora suspected that, despite doting on her scallywag of a son, Mrs S had a lot of affection for Gina and didn’t blame her at all for what had happened. It was sad to see the lady so listless and frail. She had grown very thin and she seldom went out at all these days, even to see her friends in Whalley. The village fête this summer had reverted to its alternative venue and a pall of misery hung over the Hall.

The previous week Dora had plucked up the courage to ask Mr Stellion if there was any news of James.

‘Nothing that I know about, Dora,’ he said carefully, ‘but I just have a feeling he may have gone abroad.’

‘Ah …’ said Dora, ‘I see. Well, I hope wherever he is, he’s safe, and you and Mrs Stellion soon have certain news to set your minds at rest.’

‘Thank you, Dora. No news of Gina, I take it?’

‘No, sir.’

Now, as Dora walked towards the turn in the lane, a cloud drifted over the setting sun and took the heat from the day. Abruptly the robin stopped singing and flew away, and the lane was plunged into a gloomy and foreboding silence. Dora shielded her eyes and looked up. What a strange shape that cloud was, like a misshapen figure, a dancing goblin … She shivered. Then, sensing the silent presence of someone behind her, she turned sharply.

There, standing in the lane the way she had come, was a man. She had not heard his approach. Her stomach did a little flip of fearful surprise and shock to see him. He was dressed in dark clothes, and his face was oddly shadowed. Her heart pounding, she peered carefully at him. He seemed half familiar and yet a stranger, like a person might seem whom she had known years ago. She took half a step towards him, straining her eyes to make out the shadowy face. All the while he stood perfectly still, just staring at her.

‘Phil …?’ she whispered.

He did not speak but raised one arm towards her and beckoned her to him.

Dora gasped as an ice-cold grip of terror enveloped her. She took a step back, then another, then turned and fled towards Highview Farm as fast as she could, screaming over and over, ‘No! No! Leave me, leave me alone!’