‘Yeah, it is. I thought you were supposed to be soaking up that boyfriend of yours while you can?’ Josie said, putting her hands on her hips.

‘And Steven, is he here?’ Evie asked distractedly, scanning the room. It was filled with families with small children, whose eyes were wild with excitement. They must be showing a kids’ film.

‘Let me get this straight, you’ve come to say hi, not to me, but to Steven. Even more strange,’ Josie said. ‘Ben did say you’ve been acting weird lately …’

‘He said that?’

Josie nodded, then flicked on her megawatt smile to serve the next customer.

Evie ducked under the bench, shadowing Josie as she moved from the counter to the popcorn machine to the lolly stand.

‘What else did he say?’ Evie asked casually.

‘That we’ve run out of loo roll.’

Evie rolled her eyes. Clearly she wasn’t going to get anything even mildly helpful out of her today.

‘Steven’s out the back,’ Josie said, gesturing to the door behind her pointedly.

Evie nodded nonchalantly, pretending not to care about Steven’s whereabouts. She asked Josie how her day was going, what she had planned for New Year’s Eve, all the while staring at the big green door behind her. After what seemed like forever, Steven came strolling out. He was wearing his usual navy uniform, and his signature beaming smile.

‘Steven!’ Evie said, just a little too excited.

‘Evie. What are you doing here? I’m glad you are, actually. I was hoping to discuss the latest Downton Abbey episode with you. I’m finally up to date,’ he said, straightening his apron. ‘You’ve watched the latest season, right?’

Josie shook her head and walked to the other side of the counter to restock the pick ‘n’ mix.

‘Yeah. But I barely remember it,’ Evie said quickly. Because I watched it a bloody decade ago. ‘Actually, I’ve come to ask you a favour. If you don’t mind. I have this laptop with me—’ Evie plonked the backpack she was carrying onto the counter and reached inside, drawing out Hugo’s white, clunky MacBook ‘—and some files might have been deleted off it a couple of years ago. Possibly a document called Charlie and Dot. I know you’re a great computer whizz, right? Do you think you might be able to help me find it, if it exists? I can pay you, of course.’

Steven picked up the laptop and inspected the barcode on the base. Evie stared at him, wondering what he was thinking.

‘So it may or may not be there, this document?’

‘Yes. I’m not sure.’

‘And are you certain you should be doing this?’ Steven asked, looking at her with concern. ‘I try to only use my, ah, skills, for good.’

‘Again, I’m not sure. But I think so,’ Evie said, twisting her hands together.