‘I’ve still got plenty. I’ll give you some more next time you come round. Drop by any time.’ I paused. ‘Listen, will you ask your mum if she knows anything else about Mrs Barley? This whole thing about the cats has given me a really sick feeling. I’m wondering if there’s anything else she’s supposed to have done. It’s not a nice thought, living next door to someone who could do a thing like that.’

‘Sure. But listen, don’t go worrying. I probably shouldn’t have said anything. You know how it is in small villages – people gossip. I bet there’s nothing in it.’

From her expression, I suspected she was just trying to make me feel better. She and Alfie watched from the door as we walked back down the road. My head was still full of the disturbing image of the poor murdered cat and the thought of what gruesome fate had befallen the others. It sounded almost like some ghastly satanic rite, and however long ago it may have occurred, I didn’t want to dwell on the fact that it had happened on our doorstep.

*

Kenny was outside, leaning against his truck as he chatted on his mobile, when I got back. He looked up and waved, finishing his call.

‘Just ordering some netting. We’re making good progress. Did you get to the bottom of the attic mystery?’

‘No. Mrs Barley claims she heard nothing and doesn’t seem to know anything about it. But there was definitely something going on up there. If it happens again, I’ll get Jack to go and have a look.’

He looked suddenly serious. ‘Yeh, don’t you get trying to climb up there yourself. We don’t want you falling in your condition.’

I smiled. ‘No, I won’t.’

He lowered his voice, tipping his head towards Rose Cottage. ‘By the way, while you were out, I could hear the old lady rattling away to herself in there. I’d just come down off the roof and the window was open. She seemed to be chanting or something, and she was burning a candle, like she was performing some kind of … I dunno, ceremony or something. She wasn’t talking to no one else – she’s definitely on her own in there. Sounded a bit weird, like.’ He gave a slow nod, as if to emphasise this last observation.

I remembered what Lucy had said and a shiver passed through me. ‘Could you hear what she was saying?’