Helen's sister Pearl has been missing for 20 years.
She looks at the sleeve and can't help but think how different fashion is now. This must be from the early 70s. Even in midwinter, women went about the streets in miniskirts (though they wore long, long boots when it was really cold.) They were either cheerier, bolder or stupider.
It was about then that Pearl disappeared. She was six years older than Helen, a teenager, with long hair and tight-ribbed sweaters. Helen lived through Pearl: boyfriends, fashion, fun.
She disappeared, no news, no body. Mum never gave up trying to find Pearl: mediums, sniffer dogs. Arrested serial killers got a letter with a photograph, pleading to end a mother's suspense. Nothing ever did.
For the most part they never talk about Pearl, though her photograph is on top of the telly. Helen has only just been able to leave home, and Mum has never thrown out the old clothes.
Neither one of them ever wear strong colours. Something lurches.
This is Pearl's coat.