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Chapter One

Evelyn

Evelyn pulled a face as she took a sip of the now cold coffee, then downed it anyway – disgusting or not, she needed every drop of the syrupy caffeinated dregs. It had already been a long drive, and she wasn’t used to such long distances, especially lately. It hadn’t just been the physical effort of packing everything up that was exhausting. The emotional toll was even heavier, and far harder to bear.

She yawned and adjusted the second rear view mirror to check on her precious cargo in the back. She smiled at the sight of Summer curled up in her starry blanket with Tilly, who had stretched her seat-belt leash as far as possible, so she could rest her ginger and white head in her best girl’s lap. Summer’s hand rested gently on the Shiba Inu’s head and, not for the first time, Evelyn was struck by how unworldly Summer appeared with her pale blonde hair, and the fox-like dog who was always by her side. She was tiny, delicate, and almost ethereal when she was asleep – and a bouncing bubble of energy when she was awake, despite everything. She was smaller, and more delicate looking, than most eight-year-olds, but after the last few years it was hardly surprising.

Since Summer had fallen ill, the little Shiba had become her shadow, following her everywhere as if her very presence could protect the smallest member of her pack from coming to harm. If only it were true.

Evelyn forced herself to focus on the road, and tried to push the negative thoughts away. Every mile closer she got to Broclington took her another mile further from Northumberland, and all the sadness and negativity that had happened there. Though she’d grown up in Broclingon, a little Midlands’ village, it had been a long time since she’d called it home, and it was somewhere Summer only really knew as a place to visit her nan – not that there’d been too many visits lately. Evelyn shook her head to clear her mind of those negative thoughts. As the cat’s eyes and white lane markers raced by, she pictured a tiny shoot pushing its way through the dark earth, coaxed to the surface by the promise of light and warmth. With each mile marker that passed, she envisaged the shoot growing taller and stronger, delving out roots to pull in more strength, until the petals of a sunshine yellow rose started to unfold. With any luck, she and Summer could regrow as easily.

She snorted in amusement at the idea of Summer sprouting petals as she indicated and pulled off at the A46, taking care to leave extra space for the trailer she’d been towing for hours. Roses apparently grew well in horse crap, and she’d definitely had enough crap to last a lifetime. She glanced back at Summer again. Make that two lifetimes – they’d had more than enough crap for two lifetimes, though she’d have gladly taken it all to reduce the load on Summer’s young shoulders.

But she had to stop thinking like that, she chided herself silently. The last round of treatment hadn’t gone the way they’d all hoped – but it had worked, and Summer was fast regaining her strength. Everything was going to be fine – Evelyn had to believe that. And if she believed it hard enough, it might just come true.

She yawned so widely that her jaw clicked, and she had to give herself a shake. It was just a few more miles, and they’d be there, ready to start their new lives in her old home.

Evelyn winced as she bumped up the kerb and pulled onto the gravel driveway, the crunching stones sounding loud in the quiet car. She finally turned the engine off and stretched the cricks out of her neck before squinting to peer through the darkness into the back seat. Tilly whined softly, and gave Evelyn a reproachful look from her spot half-in Summer’s lap. Clearly she was telling her that it was far too late for her girl to be out, and she was less than impressed with all the changes and moving about.

‘I know. I’m sorry, Tilly.’ She whispered an apology. ‘But we didn’t really have any choice, and we’re here now. Wait with our girl, and I’ll get the door open. We don’t want her getting cold.’

She paused at the porch and ran her hand over the honeyed stone. It hadn’t been home to her for years, but it still felt safe and familiar. She’d been so happy in this old cottage. She stared at the blurred head in the back of the car, and prayed that Summer could be happy here too. Happy and healthy. She brushed her fingers against the cold, worn metal of the door knocker when the faded green door swung open, and she was wrapped in a huge hug that smelled of roses, cinnamon and safety.

‘Hi, Mum.’

‘Oh, Evie. I hate what it is that’s brought you back home to me, but I’m so glad you’re here. I know it’s a few weeks late, but Happy New Year, love.’ Evelyn was pushed away and her mum squinted at her in the light streaming from the hallway. ‘You look exhausted. Let’s get you in, settled, and I’ll put the kettle on. Now where is my gorgeous, brave granddaughter?’

‘Still zonked out in the car. With Tilly in her lap, as usual.’

‘You go get her. I’ve borrowed a junior bed from a friend and cleared out my crafting room for her.’

‘I said she could share with me,’ Evelyn argued.

‘I know what you said, love. But I really don’t mind. I’ll give you a hand, and hopefully we can get her snuggled into bed before she even realises we’ve woken her up.’

‘Sounds good.’ Evelyn yawned, suddenly overwhelmed by tiredness as all the sadness and struggles of the last few months hit her in a tsunami of emotion. She opened the car door, and unclipped Tilly who bounced out of the car and bounded around, yipping excitedly as she greeted her old friend.

‘Yes, yes. I’m glad to see you too. Now go water one of my trees before you come in.’ Evelyn’s mum shooed Tilly towards the garden as Evelyn unclipped Summer’s seat belt and pulled the little girl tightly against her.

‘Are we there yet?’ Summer’s sleepy voice was muffled against Evelyn’s shoulder.

‘Yes, sweetheart. We’re here now.’ She handed a bag to her mother, and held Summer’s head firmly against her shoulder as she struggled to lift her from the booster seat. She was getting a bit big to lift around easily, but Evelyn was still going to keep doing it for as long as she could, even if she did get a few twinges in her back every now and then.

‘Good.’ Summer snuggled against her neck as Evelyn struggled to stand, her daughter’s fuzzy regrowing hair tickling her cheek. ‘I’m tired, Mum.’

‘I know. Come give Nanny a quick hug, and we’ll snuggle you into your bed.’

‘With Tilly?’

Evelyn chuckled as she carried Summer through the porch and into the hallway that she’d walked through thousands of times: sometimes sneaking in later than she’d promised, sometimes storming in as an angry teenager, but usually she’d been happy, racing to meet her family or friends. She heard Tilly’s skidding claws hit the stone floor. ‘Of course Tilly’s coming to bed with you. I’ve never been able to stop her yet, have I?’

‘Good.’ Summer snuggled tighter.

‘Hello, darling.’ Evelyn heard her mother’s footsteps and voice behind her.

‘Hello, Nanny Linda.’ Summer stretched her hand out behind Evelyn to her grandmother, who kissed her fingers, making the little girl giggle.

Evelyn opened the door to her mother’s former craft room, and gasped. ‘This is beautiful.’ She set Summer down on the bed. ‘Look, sweetheart, your very own princess bedroom.’ She fingered the shimmering canopy that pooled over the small bed, all in delicate shades of pink that matched the pale walls and striped rug.