“That was an impulsive, spontaneous child thing. I don’t for one moment think she meant it.”

“What if she did mean it?” He swept aside protests like dust.

“There’s still Izzy—”

“What about Izzy? Things are going great. You’re running with her tomorrow. Which is both surprising and adorable by the way.”

“Adorable?”

He gave a faint smile. “Because you’re doing it to get closer to my daughter. It’s the most thoughtful, crazy thing anyone has done for me in a long time.”

It was the craziest thing she’d done for anyone in a long time.

“Maybe I’m doing it for me, because I think physical fitness is important.”

“Do you?”

“Yes. So many diseases are linked with lack of exercise, but everyone knows that working out on your own is boring so I’m superexcited to have Izzy to run with.” She could tell he didn’t believe her.

“Is there anything you need?”

“What are you offering? Ambulance? First responder at the ready?”

He laughed. “I was thinking more of a good pair of running shoes.”

“Oh.” She smoothed her hair back from her face and tried to recapture dignity. “I have running shoes.”

“They wear out over time.”

Hers had never been given a chance to wear out. “Mine are fine. I suppose if you have a spare oxygen tank that might be useful.”

He leaned across and kissed her. “You,” he said, “are so damn cute.”

“When I cross the finish line of the New York Marathon, you’re going to apologize for patronizing me.”

“I’m not patronizing you. I think you’re incredible. But no one goes from couch to marathon in one session, Flora.”

“Who said anything about a marathon? We’ll start gently.”

“Izzy is fast and fit. Don’t let her push you. But it’s great that you’re doing this. First you get Molly drawing again, and now this. Izzy used to run all the time, but she stopped after Becca died.” He frowned. “I don’t know why. Maybe because running without her mother felt wrong. But now she’s asked you to go with her. That’s really positive.”

“I hope so.”

Flora had a sneaking suspicion that Izzy’s invitation to run had been motivated by darker forces, like a desire to see her father’s new girlfriend die of natural causes.

Either way, the following morning promised to be interesting.

8

Izzy

People said running was good for your mental health, but right now it wasn’t doing anything for hers.

Izzy increased her speed in the hope that moving faster might help her escape her feelings.

She hadn’t run since her mother had died and not only was she out of condition, but it also brought back memories. No matter how fit she’d been, her mother had always been able to outpace her. At the time it had frustrated Izzy, that she could never be as good as her mother at anything she did.