“And the next time somebody tells you that noticing things is a defect,” he said, “you tell them your father said it’s a job qualification.”

Gemma, who had been silent for a long time with her face against the rabbit, said: “Is she coming back?”

“No.”

“Ever?”

“Not ever.

Not to this house, not to your school, not to the club, not anywhere near either of you.

That will be true tomorrow and it will be true in ten years.”

“Promise on Mommy,” Gemma said.