Very quickly, however, she’d realised that Rachel hadn’t wanted to be seen, not even by Sarah and Friday, and though she didn’t understand why, she knew there’d be a reason. Nevertheless, for an entire day she’d worried that Rachel might have moved permanently to Sarah’s house, perhaps to help Sarah, or — far worse — to punish Harrie for something she didn’t even know she’d done. But no, she hadn’t been abandoned, as last night Rachel had appeared in her usual spot in the rocking chair under the eaves, and Harrie had experienced such a sense of relief she’d almost wept. She could hear Hannah calling for her, and went to the top of the stairs. ‘What is it, Hannah? I’m up here!’ ‘There’s a man at the door!’ Hannah shouted. ‘That Mr Downer! Will you talk to him?’ Harrie froze. Oh God, what was he doing here? She’d have to go down — she couldn’t expect Hannah to tell him to go away. She handed Lewis to Abigail. ‘Would you tell your mother I’ve just gone downstairs?
