Their father sat in his usual place when they arrived, but he wasn’t reading. He was staring at the fire, a bottle of whiskey at his side, and didn’t turn his head when they entered the room.
Meg stood in the centre of the room while Jinny sat in the chair next to him to catch her breath. David slouched against the wall behind them.
“Father …”
He spoke quietly, refusing to look at Meg. “I don’t ever want to hear about her again. Do you hear me? Not her, nor him, nor the bastards they may have. Never. That bitch.”
He stopped speaking and they listened to the clock tick for a full moment.
“She’s never to come here. If I find that she’s been here—and I will—I’ll throw the lot of you out.” He pointed a thick calloused finger toward the front of the house. “I’ll throw your clothes in the s
