64. Now

They aren't in our wing of the house. They aren't anywhere any of us have looked, and now we're all in the kitchen – the whole family.

‘You're going to have to call the police,' I say.

Tristan doesn't blink. He's staring intently at nothing, his mind whirring behind his blank face.

The fire has burnt out in the grate. I stand by the Aga, soaking in its heat. The fridge hums. Father is in his robe, but somehow Mother is fully dressed. Her fingers grip one purple bead then another.

I catch Mina's eye and I feel like I know what she's thinking.

He did it. My brother. Why else would he hesitate over calling the police? He attacked Georgia's mother without provocation and left her for dead and it's all there on that tape.

Every single person in this room knows it. Whether they're just facing up to it like me, or have been conscious of it all along, I don't know.

Mina lied for him and married him and had his children and now they're gone.

The back of my neck itches. I go to press on my throbbing cuts but stop myself. No need for that. Aren't I hurting enough already?

‘Dear Lord,' says my father. ‘We are grateful every day for the life you have bestowed upon this family. We have more than most, and will not waste your kindness.'

What my father means by these words is that we will support Tristan in his ambitions for greatness. I want to scream at him, because that isn't relevant now, is it?

My father opens his mouth to go on with his prayer and I can't take it. I can't take it! I jump up, ready to shout, when all of our phones buzz at the same time. Each of us has a new message.