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‘Yeah. She’s in remission.’ She took another gulp of her wine before whispering the words that had been plaguing her, half-hoping that she could limit their damage or likelihood of coming true by not speaking them aloud. ‘But what if it doesn’t last?’

‘It will. She’s a fighter, our Summer,’ her mum reassured her. ‘It will take a lot more than this to stop her. She will be all right, I promise you that.’

‘I wish I had your confidence,’ Evelyn admitted in a small voice.

‘I’ve got enough for both of us right now. Have as much as you need.’ Linda gave her a reassuring smile. ‘Now, tell me what happened between you and Charlie.’

‘Everything and nothing, Mum. He changed, maybe I did too.’

‘Of course you have. How could you go through what you have with Summer and not be changed by it? But that’s over now. Isn’t there any chance of reconciliation?’

‘No. He’s hurt us too badly. He just isn’t the man I married any more. If he’d been there for Summer, been a good dad, maybe there would be some hope, but he hasn’t even managed to get that right lately. He hasn’t even tried.’

‘It’s got to have been hard on him,’ Linda argued.

‘Yeah, but it’s been hard on me too. And it’s been hardest of all on Summer. Neither of us got to run away.’ She sighed sadly and shook her head.

‘No, you didn’t.’ She reached for the wine bottle.

‘I really shouldn’t.’ Evelyn held her hand over the top of the glass. ‘I’ve still got to unpack the car and trailer, and I’ve got to get up early tomorrow. There’s so much to do.’

‘Just grab what you need from the car for tonight. Everything else will be fine until the morning, and I’ll help then. And what, pray tell, do you have to do tomorrow?’

‘Well, once I’m unpacked …’

‘Which I’ve said I’ll help with.’

‘Yes, and thank you for that. When I’ve got everything in, I need to make an appointment to get Summer registered with a doctor here, and hand over all her case history, then make enquiries at the school to get her registered so she can start after February half-term, and that’s just to start with. I know it’s several weeks away, but these things take time. And she’s still got healing to do.’

‘Well, I can help there. You’ve already got an appointment with the doctor – nothing too formal in case you or Summer are too tired – but you’re pencilled in for three o’clock. You remember Dr Tom?’

‘Of course. Is he still practising?’

‘Absolutely. His wife Julie is still the surgery manager – and she just happens to be part of my crafting circle and a WI member. They both know all about Summer. If you can’t make it tomorrow, one of them will drop round one evening to complete the registration forms. And speaking of registration forms’—she leaned forward and produced a sheaf of papers from the coffee table drawer—‘Mrs Snowden, the school administrator dropped these by.’

Evelyn snorted in amusement. ‘Another of your crafting circle?’

‘Painting class, actually.’ Linda’s eyes twinkled with amusement. ‘So, more wine?’

‘Please.’ Evelyn held out her glass gratefully. ‘You really have thought of everything. Thank you for all you’re doing for us.’

‘You don’t need to thank family, remember? And it’s really not a big deal. Just a few favours from friends who want to help.’

‘Well, I still appreciate it.’

‘You’re welcome. Now, do you want to tell me what “everything and nothing” means when it comes to explaining Charlie’s disappearance?’

Evelyn took another fortifying gulp of wine, before launching into the sordid, gruesome tale.

Chapter Two

Jake

Jake sauntered out of the café, The Brockle’s Paws, and had to do a double take as he sipped his coffee. He snorted in amusement; for a moment, he’d thought there was a fox tied up outside the general store, sunbathing in the winter sunshine. It was too early in the year for most of the tourists who visited, and he knew almost all the animals locally, so the creature must be new.

‘Well, hello there.’ It jumped up as he approached, clearly recognising him as a dog lover, and danced prettily, stretching towards him on the end of a sparkly leash. Though she seemed friendly, Jake took his time and let her sniff at his fingers before rubbing her ears. She yipped happily and butted his hand playfully.

‘Aren’t you just the prettiest thing?’ He twisted her collar slightly to peer at her tag. ‘Tilly. What a pretty name for a lovely little fox.’