Their three days were down to two. The plan untested. The future unfolded in her mind like a map, all the landmarks in dark ink with passages and intersections drawn between them. She traced the paths to the same location, every wrong turn on the way. If she could just wrap herself around every possibility and plan for each, then maybe she could keep them safe.

James caught her in a moment of quiet as she went from the parlour to the bedroom. He was wearing a shirt borrowed from Guil, the sleeves rolled up and his waistcoat unbuttoned. He seemed to fit in so easily.

He laid a hand on her arm, thumb rubbing soft circles against her skin.

‘Are you sure I can’t help?’

‘I don’t need help.’

He smiled, a dimple showing in one cheek. ‘Oh, don’t try lying to me. I know that look too well. You’re worried.’

‘I’m not. I have everything under control. Just – stay here, okay?’

‘I’ll do whatever helps you. If you want me out of this I know you’ll have your reasons, but…’ He trailed off. ‘Don’t you trust me?’

She slipped her arm from his grip.

What could she say?

Yes, of course I do, you’re the only person I have left from my old life.

No, never, I don’t trust anyone.

He must have seen her hesitation, because he stepped closer and cupped her cheek in his hand, before lowering his lips to hers. With a jerk, she moved back so suddenly she nearly tripped into the void of the stairwell.

A blush of humiliation stained his cheeks.

‘James,’ she said quietly, ‘things have changed. It’s been months.’

Pushing his hair from his face, he leaned against the wall.

‘I know. I … didn’t realise that much had changed.’

‘I’m sorry.’

‘You know all I want is the best for you.’

The familiarity of his voice, the emotion in it was so tempting, so welcoming. But so alien at the same time. It was as though he’d stepped into her life from another world, offering her the chance to be someone else. As though her old life was there waiting for her, if only she took his hand. No. She might not know what else there was for her, but she knew her old life was gone. She’d watched it die at the guillotine months ago.

‘You don’t need to worry about me.’

‘I love you – I’m going to worry. God, when you got arrested I was distraught, we all were. You have no idea.’

She gave him a brittle smile. ‘Believe me, I do.’

He flushed again. ‘Of course. Stupid of me…’

‘It’s fine.’

Keeping his distance, he reached to stroke the hair from her face, gathering it behind her ear in a gesture so deeply etched into her heart it made her ache.

‘Just be safe, Cam.’

She moved away.