Some relatives understood immediately.

Others wanted a tidy explanation with a villain and a decisive moment.

They seemed disappointed when I told them the truth was more complicated: Matthew had said things to Mabel that made her believe she would be replaced, and I had failed to understand how frightened she was.

My father arrived with the remaining decorations in the back of his car.

He stood in my hallway looking at the garlands piled around his shoes.

‘I wish I’d said more,’ he told me.