The best option would have been not to fall in love with him in the first place, but it was too late for that.

Lizzy put the puffin down carefully and reached for her milk. “He said he loved us.”

“He does love us in his own way, but he has a job to do and his own life.”

And that life wasn’t going to include them.

She couldn’t wallow in self-pity; she had to move on. She had to keep Lizzy busy and introduce new people into her life.

Lizzy stared miserably across the restaurant, and then the chocolate milk slipped from her hands and spilled across the table, splattering Emily.

With lightning reflexes, she rescued puffin and Andrew, but before she could speak, Lizzy shrank down in her chair.

“He’s here.”

Emily was busy trying to stem the flood with a couple of napkins. “Ryan?”

“The man with the camera. The one who climbed into the house.”

It took a few seconds for the words to sink in, and when they did, Emily dropped the napkins and slowly turned her head. The man was standing between her and the door, blocking the only exit. He scanned the restaurant as if searching for someone, and, after a few moments, he approached a couple at the table nearest to him and showed them a photograph. Heart thumping, Emily pushed both toys into Lizzy’s hands. “Get under the table, sweetheart.”

“But—”

“Get under the table, and whatever happens, don’t move.” She positioned herself with her back to the restaurant, hoping to block the man’s view.

She was thinking hard about her options when she heard Ryan’s deep voice behind her.

“We’re busy today. I’m going to have to ask if you mind sharing your table.”

Melting with relief, Emily turned her head to warn him, but he put his hand on her shoulder and gave it a firm squeeze.

“I’ve got this. Just crowd around and pull up a few extra chairs.” He smiled at the students at the table next door, and they swiftly decamped to Emily’s table, laughing, chatting and crowding around as he’d instructed. “Anna, give Emily your hat. She’s in full sun there.”

The girl next to her slid her hat from her head and passed it to Emily.

She glanced down and saw the words Marine Center embroidered on the front.

“Put it on,” Ryan said softly. “Keep your back to the room and leave the rest to me.”

“Here—” Anna pushed a copy of Marine Biology into her hand. “Get stuck into that. Don’t look so panicked. Ryan has got this. We’ve all got this.”

Two bulky guys with windswept hair sat either side of her, and one of them put his backpack carefully on the floor in front of Lizzy. With so many legs and backpacks, it would be next to impossible for anyone to see her.