I made no mention of any difficulties between us but said that he ought to tell me where he was and what he was doing. I heard not a word. Two days later Katie, just back from school, came to find me in the kitchen. ‘Mum, you know you said we mustn’t go anywhere near the pub?’ ‘I did,’ I agreed, wondering what on earth was coming. ‘Had you forgotten that the school bus stops almost right outside now?’ I had, and apologized. ‘In the mornings Matthew and I stand a little way off in case that horrible Andrews man sees us and makes more trouble. But when we come home . . .’ ‘Yes?’ I prompted. ‘Well, we have to get off nearly right outside, don’t we? And just now . . .’ She looked a bit bothered so I sat her down and gave her a drink of juice. ‘What’s wrong?’ I asked, sitting down beside her. ‘Matthew stayed behind for cricket so I was on my own. There was a car outside the pub, like ours only black. The windows were made of that dark glass but were open a bit as they were smoking.
