I wasn’t quite prepared for what met my eyes. The little table that had once held the doll and the candle was in the centre of the room, now covered with a black silk cloth and adorned with an array of objects. A silver-framed photograph of Frank as a young man had been placed in its centre, surrounded by flickering tealights. Sprigs of rosemary had been twisted around the frame and a pocket watch sat in front of it. There was a large, oval-shaped polished black crystal to one side of the photograph and a jagged, myriad-coloured one to the other. A little brass bell had been placed on one corner of the table, and what looked like a lock of dark hair, tied with a black ribbon, sat at another. The clear intention was to create some sort of weird shrine to her husband. It was eerie and part of me wanted to turn and run.

The assortment of candles on the hearth were all lit and an incense burner released a potent, cloying smell into the air. The atmosphere was strangely heavy and it didn’t give me a good feeling. Even the little lovebirds seemed subdued, perched in their cage like statues in solemn silence as though sedated by the heady fumes. A sudden fluttering startled me, and I looked round to see Corvus immediately outside the window. His sharp little eyes seemed to follow me with contempt. He tapped the glass impatiently with his beak and I was glad that I had closed the doors behind me.

Mrs Barley appeared in the doorway at the far end of the room, which opened out into the hall nearer the front of the cottage. Seeing the crow, she laughed. ‘He’s already had plenty today, greedy boy. Come and sit up here, Stina. We’ll have more room at the dining table. You can leave the pram there if you like.’

Elodie was still sound asleep, so I put on the brake and went to sit at the table. There was an arrangement of dried flowers and berries in the centre and more lit candles. I was surprised to see that there were three places set.

‘Oh, I’m sorry – are you expecting company?’

‘Possibly.’

Mrs Barley smiled knowingly as she handed me a side plate with a huge slice of cake and a mug containing a warm, spicy-smelling brew. I sipped tentatively. It was a delicious apple and cinnamon concoction.