Annabel mentioned in her article. People used to leave pennies on the top of it for poor travellers to collect on their way past.’
Her dad looked, but didn’t comment. However, when they were on the main road leading to Ockton, he said, ‘Now, Grace, I’ve been wanting to talk to you…’
Grace sensed what was coming, and waited.
‘I don’t see the need to rush off overseas. Come and stay with your mother and me for a little while.’
‘Dad, I’ve got the tickets booked! I won’t be gone for long – and I need a holiday,’ she added, knowing that her reason for going was much more than that. It was a longing to see a tall, dark-haired man who lived on the other side of the world, whose presence she’d missed for close on two months, despite emails and phone calls.
‘Millie will be a horror on the flight.’
‘Dad, stop!’
‘I know you, Gracie, I know exactly why you’re going. And I don’t like him.’
‘Why not?’
‘Because he lives twelve thousand miles away, for Christ’s sake.’
‘Hang on a minute, you moved to France – it’s only a longer plane journey.’
‘Hmm.’ He didn’t look impressed. ‘Well, when you get back, come and stay with me and your mother.’
‘Dad, I’m not staying with you again while Mum insists on keeping that clock,’ Grace said, only half-joking. ‘It stops when it chooses, you know, usually on witching hour. Why she wants it is beyond me.’
Her dad shrugged his shoulders. ‘It’s an heirloom for Millie, apparently. Your mum didn’t think it was right to part with it – we can mind it for her until she’s old enough to decide what to do with it.’
Grace acquiesced. ‘Well, it’s nice of you. But if it gives you any trouble…’
‘Don’t worry, I’m sure someone on the internet can tell me how to conduct an exorcism.’
Grace laughed as she watched houses beginning to appear along the road. They were coming into Ockton now, and she sobered straight away as she saw the church spire ahead. A short time later, the car slowed to a stop, and Grace’s mother walked across and opened the door for her.
‘We’ll go and park,’ she said, getting in after Grace had climbed out. ‘We’ll leave you alone for a little while. I bought these.’ She handed Grace four roses, each with a sprig of rosemary bound to its stem. ‘They’re for love and remembrance.’
Grace felt tears well up. ‘Thanks Mum.’
‘Do you want to take Millie with you?’
‘No, can you watch her for a second?’
‘Of course. We’ll walk back and meet you outside the gate.’
Grace set off down the churchyard path, and picked her way across the grass until she reached three headstones. The grass was damp but she knelt anyway, leaving two flowers and sprigs at the foot of one stone. For Connie and Bill. Then she moved to the next one and placed another flower in front of it. For Rachel. As she turned to the final grave, she laid the last red rose on top of it. She put her hand on the cool stone and closed her eyes, conjuring up Adam’s smiling face.
A gentle breeze blew from behind her, caressing the back of her neck. She felt the light press of a hand on her shoulder and spun round, opening her eyes, expecting to see her parents there. But all she saw was a weak yellow sun, beyond the small clouds that freckled the palest of blue skies.
Reading Group Questions for Beneath the Shadows
1. The past is still too close to us… How does the past infiltrate and affect the present in
2. Grace is driven by her need for resolution: did you see this as an obstacle or a necessity for her?
3. Ghosts, omens, clocks that stop and start by themselves – is there a supernatural element in Roseby, or was it all just a figment of Grace’s imagination?
4. Windows and reflections are strong symbols in the novel. How do you interpret their significance?
5. Not only is Grace reading
6. By the end, the mystery of Adam’s disappearance is resolved. Yet Adam didn’t tell Grace where he’d put their money, about his relationship with Jenny, or of the existence of the cellar. How much do you think the reader gets to know the ‘real’ Adam?
7. How did you interpret Grace’s strange dreams? Were they warnings, her subconscious trying to process her fears, or something else?
8. How important is Annabel to the story? What role does she play?
9. Is Meredith a villain or a victim?
10. By going through their belongings and their memories, Grace seems to be trying to understand who Adam’s grandparents were. How far can she succeed, do you think? And why is this so important to her?
Acknowledgments
This book would not exist had I not been introduced to the wonderful North Yorkshire moors by my husband Matt and his family. Thank you to all of you for your steady support over the long writing process, in particular to Jo and Steve for letting me quiz you and for all the research you have done on my behalf. And thank you James and Dan for your creativity and cinematic know-how. I must also add that I have met many locals over the years I have visited the area, and all of them have been far friendlier than some of the people portrayed in this book – so I hope they will forgive me my artistic licence! Thanks also to Big Jon and Caroline Foster, Neil Raynsford and Fiona Thorp for answering police-procedural questions, and to Rosemary Johns for the legal input.
I am very fortunate to be published by such a supportive team of people. Thanks to everyone at Random House, in particular Larissa Edwards, Elizabeth Cowell and Patrick Mangan – your insights improved the story immeasurably. Thanks also to Tobie Mann and Emma Caddy for championing the book, and to Debbie Clement for the beautiful cover designs of both my novels.
To Tara Wynne: you are a steadfast support in these interesting times, and I know how very lucky I am to have you on my side.
To Jen Shelton: thank you for taking such good care of my baby girl that I haven’t had to worry about her while I’ve been working. To Punita Mandalia: thank you for bringing my imagination to life with your talent, let’s collaborate more often! To Julie Cripps, Claire Moritz and Louise Clarke: I really appreciate your friendship and practical help. And to Kirsty Aldridge: many thanks for your time and expertise.
To Marian and Ray, your unwavering support is inspiring. Thank you for everything you have done for all of us over the past year or so. You know how much you have helped to bring this book to life.
And finally, to my husband Matt and my daughter Hannah. When it comes to you two, thank you doesn’t even begin to cover it.
Sara Foster
Sara Foster lives in Western Australia with her husband and young daughter. She divides her time between writing, book editing and being a mum. Her passions include the natural world, photography and travel.
