David takes us past the last few remaining properties then turns off the dirt track and bumps across open fields. The wind is crueller now we’re more exposed and I wipe my eyes as we pick up speed. From up here, the expanse of slate-grey sea looks even more hostile – monstrous white-crested waves racing ceaselessly to the shore, waging war on the land.

The dark blue sky is streaked with clouds, the light already fading. Peering hard, I shift position in the trailer and lean sideways to get a better view of the lighthouse. It sits at the far edge of the island on a thin strip of land that juts into the water, the square tower four times the height of the dwellings that surround it. Beyond the buildings, wavering grass slopes down to a beach on either side, the land so narrow it would only take a few minutes to walk to the nearest shore. Beset by the raging sea, the lighthouse appears lonely and haunted, yet fiercely proud too – defiant even.

Tom is frowning at the view, his hair messy and ruffled by the wind. I’m wondering what he makes of being here when he notices me looking. ‘How are you feeling?’ he asks.

I manage a tight smile. So many emotions are swirling inside me right now, I couldn’t put my feelings into words if I tried.

When I don’t say anything, he asks, ‘So what’s the plan? We get your mum to persuade David you can stay here with her, and I go back with him tomorrow?’

‘Yes, thanks.’ I smile properly this time, grateful for his company. With the strangeness of everything that’s been happening, it’s a comfort to be with someone I know.

Only one more field to cross and we’ll be there. I clutch the locket around my neck, my palms sweaty despite the cold. As the lighthouse looms bigger, so do my fears. What if my mum refuses to speak to me? What if she sends us away?

The quad bike stops at the bottom of a long dirt track that leads to the lighthouse and Tom and I share a glance. Surely he isn’t going to make us walk the rest of the way? David gets off the bike and approaches the rear of the trailer.

‘Here we are. Like I said, I’ll be back in a week for a last check of the place, weather permitting. So you’ll need to come with me then, or you’ll be here until spring.’

Tom flashes me a look then climbs out of the trailer. ‘You’re going back tomorrow, right?’

The boatman nods. ‘Aye, that’s right. I’m taking the last of the farm animals across. I’ll be leaving at two. If you come looking for me after that, I shan’t be there.’ He points along the track towards a group of white buildings. ‘Sarah lives there – the one with the sloping roof, adjoining the tower. It’s the second green door you want, the one at the end.’