Page 91 of Do Not Disturb

She’s become even more obsessed with the china doll she calls Lucinda. She takes it everywhere with her and won’t go to bed without it. I was hoping it was just a phase but, so far, there are no signs of it waning. I’ve wondered a lot about where it came from. Was it from Violet Brown’s day? Or after? Another of the house’s secrets, and I doubt I’ll ever get to the bottom of it.

Her flights of fancy that I’ve always loved have taken a slightly darker turn. Last week she upset Amelia by saying Ruby was her real sister, not her. And then the other day I heard her trying to convince Amelia that she could understand animals like Dr Dolittle. It had sent chills through me because she had sounded just like Selena.

I’m in the kitchen. The sun is shining and the birds are singing. It’s at times like this that I’m so thankful we moved to the country. The bi-fold doors are open and I can see Evie from where I’m wiping down worktops. Amelia is on the trampoline and Evie has Princess on her lap. She’s grooming the rabbit with a comb.

I hear a scream. It’s Evie. The rabbit is on the floor, hopping away, and she’s holding her hand. ‘Princess bit me,’ she sobs. ‘She bit me.’

I run over to her and examine her hand. It’s just a little nip. ‘It’s because you’re being too rough with her,’ I say.

‘Stupid rabbit,’ she hisses, stamping her foot. ‘I don’t want her any more. I hate her!’ She throws down the comb and storms into the house.

I pick up Princess, glancing over to Amelia. She catches my eye. ‘I thought she could speak to animals,’ she says drily.

I can’t bring myself to laugh. These days, Evie’s either quiet and withdrawn, whispering to that horrible doll, or she’s overreacting and having tantrums.

I return Princess to her hutch. ‘Evie’s acting a bit oddly. Have you noticed?’

Amelia stops bouncing, chewing her lip. ‘She’s always been a bit odd.’

I flash Amelia a reassuring smile and she continues jumping up and down, the trampoline squeaking rhythmically. I don’t want to worry her.

I walk back into the house, my heart heavy. Evie used to love animals. She was so gentle and kind. Lately there have been times when I wonder if Evie pushed Selena on purpose. That, desperate for Ruby to stay, she’d do anything to make it happen. Perhaps Ruby admitted to Evie that her mother was making her ill. I’m wondering if I should take Evie to see a counsellor. Maybe she does remember what she did to Selena. Perhaps it’s sitting there in her little brain, ready to explode, and it’s coming out in her behaviour.

No. She’s not capable of that. She’s just a little girl. It was an accident. I know that, really. Evie’snothinglike Selena. So what if she’s a bit fanciful at times? She’s only seven.

And even if Evie did mean to push Selena, I’d keep her secret. Of course I would.

Because my daughters are my world and I’d do anything –anything– to protect them.