I was about to wheel the pram through the gate when a sharp voice from behind brought me to a halt. I turned to recognise the woman who had claimed to see my aura, climbing from a small red car parked on the opposite side of the road. Wild-eyed and gesticulating, she began marching across the street towards me. With her flapping purple kaftan, she reminded me of a demented scarecrow. Her whole body was taut with rage.

‘You! You warn that old witch I’m onto her. My nephew is doubled up today because of her. I know she’s behind it – she does it every time.’

I stepped back as she continued to advance, confused by her hostility. ‘What – what are you talking about?’

She stopped only feet away from Mrs Barley’s front wall, staring up at the house as though she’d like to see it go up in flames. ‘Just because him and his mates chucked a few eggs – it was only a bit of fun. He lost his watch out here last night. And now he’s been rolling around with belly ache all day. His mother’s taken him to A & E. You can’t tell me it’s a coincidence. That old woman’s at the back of it – I know she is.’

My heart pounding, I gripped the handle of the pram with one hand and reached for Jobie with the other. Normally so placid, he pricked up his ears and began to bark. I attempted to reassure him, bending to stroke his head, but the woman’s stance was unnerving. The barking ceased and he dropped to the ground, grumbling, and looked on warily.

‘For God’s sake, how can Mrs Barley be to blame for someone she’s had no contact with having stomach pains? You’re being ridiculous.’

She rounded on me. ‘What would you know? You’ve only known her five minutes. Well, don’t you ever cross her, that’s all I’ll say, or believe me you’ll soon find out what she’s capable of.’

Mrs Barley’s front door opened suddenly. Her face unreadable, she began to walk slowly up the path towards us, never taking her eyes from the irate figure shifting angrily from one foot to the other at her gate, the woman’s fists curled into tight, angry balls.

‘Go away.’ Mrs Barley’s voice was calm and measured. ‘You are upsetting Stina and you’re causing a scene. Take a look at yourself, my girl.’

The woman stared from her face to mine. She seemed to crumple and fold in on herself suddenly, becoming shrunken and nervous. She began to back away.

‘You – you’re in it together, aren’t you?’ She waved an accusing hand in my direction. ‘I knew the first time I saw this one there was something not right about her. Just you leave my family alone, Virginia Barley. Haven’t you hurt us enough?’