In the Shadow of the Trees by Elenor Gill Page B

knew that. So where did that leave me now? It was hard to know what Sullivan wanted. His voice told me nothing. His face was a mask, eyes always focused on some distant landscape.
    ‘Perhaps it would be better if I left.’
    ‘No, no. Don’t do that. You’re not the problem. It’s the lad. Always been secretive. It’s not having a mother around, I expect. Lonely sort of childhood for a boy.’
    I wanted to ask about the graves. I wanted to ask about Jason’s mother and how she had died and where they had buried her. But I also wanted to stay here and for once I knew when to keep my mouth shut.
    ‘The dogs seem to like being here,’ I said. ‘Bramble’s spending a lot of time with me. I hope that’s all right?’
    ‘Up to them. They have the run of the place. Yes, I can see she likes you. She’d be good company. It’s a bit isolated here for a woman on her own. Good to have a dog around the place.’
    ‘She doesn’t seem to like the bedroom much. Won’t go in there. I can’t see anything wrong with it.’
    ‘Dogs get notions in their heads. Any little thing can spook them.’
    ‘Well, there’s nothing unusual about it. At least, the dressing table is unusual. Quite beautiful. In fact I was hoping to ask you about it.’
    ‘Dressing table? I wouldn’t know. Don’t know what the lad put in there. I know he got some new stuff.’
    ‘No, this is old. Very old. A round mirror set in what looks like carved oak. A sort of wreath of branches and leaves and…’
    As I spoke Sullivan’s face remained motionless. But he seemed to grow paler and, for a moment, something flashed across his eyes that was more than concern.
    ‘Would you mind if I took a look?’
    ‘No, come on through.’
    He stood in the middle of the room, twisting the brim of his hat through his hands. It was a long time before he spoke. ‘Yes, it’s hers. It’s his mother’s mirror. He’s brought it down from her room. I didn’t know he had it here.’
    ‘Perhaps it should go back, then. It’s beautiful piece. Must be very valuable.’
    ‘No, no you keep it here. It’s never used. I sleep in my study downstairs. Have done ever since…She’d made the room just how she wanted it and when she…Well, it didn’t feel right tochange things. It’s still as she left it. I don’t know how he got in there. I always keep it locked.’
    ‘Why is that?’
    ‘It was Jason. When he was a kid, he kept wanting to go in there. Oh, I know he missed his mother and it was natural that he should want to be among her things. But it was more than that. He would just sit there for hours on end. Sometimes in the dark. Children are supposed to be afraid of the dark, aren’t they? Didn’t seem to bother him. It wasn’t right for a child. The doctor said I should try to keep him out but he wouldn’t have it. In the end I had to lock it up. Haven’t been in there myself for years. That mirror, she used to sit in front of it, staring at herself. I’d make a joke of it, tease her about being too pretty for her own good. She’d say she was listening to the trees. I wonder how Jason managed to get it over here? No, we’ll leave it here for now. As you say, it’s a beautiful piece. It deserves to be seen. You would understand that.’
    I walked with him back to his vehicle. About to drive off, he turned to me and said, ‘You’re very welcome here. Just be careful. If you need anything come up to the house. Or there’s Connors. He’s staying in the woolshed, over there—you can see it through the trees. He’s a good man. The dogs like him, they can usually tell.’
    ‘Thanks, Sullivan. But I’m sure I won’t need him.’ Too right. ‘I’ll be fine. By the way, I do need some milk and stuff. Where can I shop?’
    ‘Along the main road, about two kilometres further on. Only a few houses, but there’s a dairy and a good bar. Ask for Maggie.’
    Then he left with Badger. Bramble stayed by my side. The man seemed so nebulous. It was as if