Kate had seen them come in, but they had all looked so grim that she had not dared to rush down the stairs and hug her prodigal sister as she had wanted to. Instead, she had slipped into her room, where she was almost immediately disturbed by her father coming in, noticing her, and disappearing. She hadn't liked the look on his face before he realized he was not alone.

As soon as the door closed behind her father, Kate grabbed an empty glass, slipped off her bed and knelt down. She placed the glass upside down on the floor and put her ear against it. Only mumbling. It was hardly the first time she had used this method, but it had been more effective before John had left home and there had been more shouting.

She got up and opened her door almost noiselessly, a well-trained skill. The coast was clear. She slipped out of her room and sneaked down the stairs, stockings and a knowledge of which steps to avoid preventing any sound. Holding the banister, she lowered herself quietly on one of the lower steps to sit down. Then she listened.