Carrying ingredients for a portobello mushroom risotto, I knocked on Dan’s door just before six. I was starting to think he wasn’t home when the door finally opened.

‘Oh shit.’ He glanced down at the bags and then back up to meet my gaze. ‘I’m sorry. I totally forgot you were coming.’

Geez, way to make a girl feel good. This thought had barely entered my head when I noticed he didn’t look himself. His eyes were bloodshot, the skin around them puffy and he sounded blocked up.

He was either sick or something awful had happened. As far as I knew he’d only spoken to Stephen about his suspicions, but maybe he’d confided today in Gemma and Ben and it hadn’t gone well. ‘What’s wrong?’

He sniffed—was he fighting emotion or a cold? ‘It’s Lion. He’s gone.’

‘You mean he’s run away? Or did you take him back to the island?’ Yet, even as these questions spilled from my lips, reality dawned. ‘Oh my God. No.’

‘He hadn’t eaten and had been sleeping all day, so I’ve been watching him closely … He passed away about ten minutes ago.’

I dropped the bags to the floor, stepped into the house and wrapped my arms around him. ‘I’m so sorry.’

I knew how much the cat meant to Dan. He was his last link to Bill. We stood there for what felt like forever, holding each other.

Finally, he pulled back. ‘Thanks. Look, I know I badgered you into dinner, but …’ He frowned and ran a hand through his hair. ‘I don’t think I’m going to be very good company and I need to … I need to deal with Lion. Do you mind if we reschedule?’

‘Are you going to bury him tonight?’

‘Yeah. I’m gunna take him across to the island.’

‘Shouldn’t you wait until morning?’

‘No. I want to put him next to Bill’s memorial; I won’t be able to rest until I do.’

There was no logic in grief and no point arguing with him, but no way was I letting him bury Bill’s cat alone. ‘Then I’m coming with you.’

‘You don’t have to do that.’

‘I want to.’

‘Thank you,’ Dan said. ‘Lion’s this way,’ he added, nodding towards the living room. He picked up the bags at our feet, carried them into the kitchen and shoved everything into the fridge.

I followed him to where Lion lay peacefully on the couch. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think he was asleep. Emotion clogged in my throat.

‘He just slipped away. It took me a while to realise he was actually gone.’ Dan let out a choked chuckle and I looked up to see tears in his eyes. ‘Damn animal. He’s turned me into a sook.’