Sinners and Shadows by Catrin Collier

covered most of the floor and white silk drapes on the bed and windows and a white silk bedcover lightened the impact of the furniture. ‘I used to think Llan House was big until I visited here.’
    â€˜It is big, but it’s also beginning to feel like home. It’s amazing how much space children take up,’ Sali patted her ‘bump’, ‘even before they’re born. Just when I thought that I could clear some room in the nursery by putting away Bella’s baby things they’re needed for this one.’
    â€˜You are lucky.’
    â€˜With Lloyd and the children?’ Sali smiled. ‘I know. But I’m also lucky with the house. I always liked visiting my aunt when I was a child, and I feel close to her here. It was so generous of her to leave everything she owned to Harry.’
    â€˜I have a small present for you. That’s if you want it.’ Rhian opened her bag.
    â€˜You shouldn’t have,’ Sali protested. ‘Not after that lovely vase you gave us for Christmas, not to mention the doll you bought for Bella and the drawing materials for Harry.’
    â€˜It’s small and it didn’t cost me anything. Mr Larch always takes photographs of all the staff on New Year’s Eve. This year he gave each of us three copies as presents.’ She handed Sali a cardboard folder.
    â€˜This is beautiful.’ Sali studied the photograph. ‘You’re wearing the dress I gave you for Christmas.’
    â€˜He said we could put on our best clothes.’
    â€˜I have to get a silver frame for this. You look stunning. Your face, your hair …’
    â€˜Mr Larch says that I’m one of those people who photograph well. I must be, because I don’t believe for one minute that I look like that.’
    â€˜The camera never lies. This is exactly what you look like. I have to show this to Lloyd.’ Before Rhian could stop her, Sali swept from the room and down the stairs.
    Joey leaned against the newel post at the foot of the stairs, watching Lloyd, Sali and Mari mill around the hall as they dressed the children in their outdoor clothes.
    â€˜So can I have a photograph?’ he whispered to Rhian when she stepped back from the mirror after pinning on her hat.
    â€˜No.’
    â€˜That’s not fair. You have three,’ he complained.
    â€˜Two after giving Sali one. Besides, you know what people would think if I gave you a photograph of myself.’
    â€˜No, tell me?’ He gazed at her through teasing eyes.
    â€˜They’d think we were boy- and girlfriend.’
    â€˜That’s exactly what you told me we were this morning.’
    â€˜Not that kind of boy and girlfriend.’
    â€˜There’s different sorts?’ he questioned, feigning innocence.
    â€˜You know there are,’ she answered, refusing to be irritated by him.
    â€˜I’d keep it safe on the chest of drawers next to my bed. No one would see it except me. And I’d kiss it every night to remind myself that the original would never grant me that favour.’
    Rhian was glad when the elderly butler, Mr Jenkins, opened the porch door at the sound of carriage wheels crunching over gravel.
    â€˜It’s Robert, Miss Sali,’ he announced.
    â€˜Rhian?’ Joey called softly, when Sali, Lloyd and the children went to the front door.
    â€˜The answer’s no.’
    â€˜All right, I understand that you’re not prepared to part with a photograph but you’re not going back to Llan House wearing that old cloak, are you?’
    She glanced down. Her cloak looked shabbier than ever in the elegant surroundings of Ynysangharad House. ‘I did intend to go shopping this afternoon. Somehow I never got around to it.’
    â€˜A fairy godfather went for you.’ He held up the carrier bag he had brought from Tonypandy.
    Curious, she looked inside. ‘Oh, Joey!’
    â€˜The ladies’ top-of-the-range cashmere.’ He