I met his eyes. ‘I’m sorry but Lexie, Speck and Brochan are capable enough and you have others you can contact if you need a fourth. I made my decision and I’m not backing down.’

He gave a pleading look that stabbed at my heart but, when it was clear he could look at me like that all day long and I still wasn’t going to break, he nodded imperceptibly and sighed. ‘I understand.’

The others remained silent, unwilling to get involved in what was essentially a family matter. I pushed myself off the wall and walked over to them giving Taylor a hug first. ‘I’ll send the money over this evening,’ I told him. ‘But I need to get home, get some sleep and start packing.’

‘Okay.’ He hung his head but didn’t quite let go of me.

I forced a smile at the others. ‘We’re still on for drinks before I leave though, right? At the usual place? You might need to buy those drinks now, of course but…’

‘We’ll be there!’ Lexie cried. ‘Of course we will!’

The pixie rushed towards me, ignoring the fact that Taylor’s arm was still round my shoulders. Speck rushed in too and then Brochan. All of a sudden all five of us were embracing in a warm, tight, group hug.

‘Guys,’ I squeaked. ‘I can’t breathe.’

They broke apart. ‘I’m going to miss you kiddo,’ Brochan said gruffly.

I smiled tremulously. ‘Drinks first, remember? I’m not leaving just yet.’

‘It’s still the end of an era though,’ Lexie sighed, her chin wobbling.

I took a step backwards. Despite – or perhaps because of ‒ our failure at the bank and the drama of Taylor’s admission, this was all getting a bit too much. I had to leave before I collapsed in floods of tears. I wasn’t usually ashamed to cry but I was afraid that if I started I’d never stop. ‘Saturday night?’ I managed to get out.

They all nodded. Then, very quickly and before my first tear escaped, I made my escape.

*

Dawn was just breaking. I wound my way through the familiar Clan-less streets while the sky broke apart into streaks of pink and purple, promising a perfect day. It was a long walk along the banks of the River Don but it helped me to get my head together. It was also a chance to take in the familiar landmarks and make my own silent goodbyes.