‘I won’t mod,’ Charlie said firmly, more for her own benefit than Rex’s.

‘I’m heading up for a nap now this is done,’ Rex said as he scooped his dryer-hot clothes into a plastic basket. ‘Gotta head out when my replacement tire arrives.’

‘Drive safe,’ Charlie said.

‘I lost a wife and two amazing kids,’ Rex said thoughtfully, as he stopped in front of the glowing UV gate. ‘I’ve been where you’re at, Charlie. But now my family is a beautiful memory, instead of something that hurts too bad to think about.’

71 THE ACCOUNTS

Christmas carols wafted up from the coffee shop as Charlie sat in her tiny office dealing with mounds of invoices, paying bills online and doing the fortnightly payroll run.

She didn’t like leaving Patrick alone with Ed for too long, so she took the little boy with her. The five-year-old did OK, playing games on his tablet, building and knocking down towers made from cardboard take-out cups and occasionally getting fussed over by a member of staff.

Ellie called to say Happy Christmas. Killer-T had taken his wife. Two of Ellie’s kids died of superflu and the collapsing economy meant Elliegold Media never floated on the stock exchange and made him rich. Charlie was glad to hear his voice, even though it was a reminder of Harry.

It was Christmas Eve, so the shop was closing at four. Charlie had paid the last bills and switched off her computer. Chairs were on tables and floors were being mopped. Gwen wore a novelty Santa-beard virus mask as she offered the final customers free mulled wine. Charlie decided she deserved a glass herself.

‘Guys, it’s snowing!’ a Goth barista called Naomi yelled as she carried out trash bags.

Patrick had never seen snow. He ignored Charlie’s demand to put on his hoodie, squeezing past rubbish bags and out the shop’s back doors. It was a pathetic snow storm, but Charlie smiled and videoed as Patrick charged between benches in the deserted outdoor seating area, trying to catch snowflakes.

‘Makes a change to see a grin on your face,’ Gwen said, stepping out behind her boss as Naomi dropped trash into a Dumpster a few yards away. ‘I’ve got my sister and ma over tomorrow. You’re more than welcome to bring the boys for lunch.’

‘That’s kind,’ Charlie said. ‘But you had us for Thanksgiving. Ed still gets overexcited about presents, so I’m gonna have a quiet day with the boys and their gifts. You can’t cook anything decent in that motel oven, so I’ve booked a table for Christmas lunch at the Brazilian barbecue place. It costs a fortune, but Ed loves it. Then we’re gonna drive over and visit my former foster parents.’

‘Sounds nice,’ Gwen said. ‘How were the accounts looking?’