Tubb scowled at Garrick. ‘I would like to mend bridges,’ he admitted gruffly. ‘I’m sorry, Lily. I’ve been judgemental. Worse, I’ve judged you for things that aren’t even your fault. I don’t want to leave things badly between us. Los says you can stay in the annexe again. Will you come to Switzerland and talk to him? We’ve got feet of snow now so it would be fun.’

Garrick chimed in about how great it was to live and work in Switzerland ending with, ‘I won’t hound you for an answer until after Christmas, as we agreed, but I do hope you’ll give the idea proper consideration.’

Lily ended the call feeling dazed and having agreed to think about going out to Schützenberg again. She needed a job and this one was falling in her lap so it would be stupid to reject it out of hand. More than that, Tubb was extending the olive branch and had seemed his usual quirky but easy-going self.

Her heart twisted at the idea of staying in Los’s annexe without Isaac though.

Moving to another country without Isaac. Living without Isaac.

Almost before she knew what she was doing, acting on blind impulse, she dialled his number.

Heart galloping around her chest, she listened to the ringing tone. She’d ask to meet him away from the pub. Talk about his plans. Get an update on the Hayley situation.

The call connected but instead of Isaac’s deep, measured tones she heard female, breathless, wobbly ones. ‘Lily? This is Hayley. I’m sorry. Isaac’s left his phone with me because I’ve dropped mine and it’s stopped working. I’m waiting for an important call from the hospital.’

All the awkwardness she’d felt about Hayley flooded back over Lily. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll—’

Hayley ploughed on. ‘I’m really, really sorry,’ she sniffed. ‘I know I’m getting in your way but everything’s gone wrong today. The histology …’ Her words strangled and she began to cry.

Helpless, horrified, Lily listened to ‘not what we were expecting … can’t bear it to go on … hospital again’ garbled by sobs. Then Isaac came on the line.

‘Hi,’ he said, also sounding out of breath. ‘Sorry, I was in the kitchen. I’m afraid Hayley’s emotional.’

Lily swallowed hard and mumbled over her thumping heart, ‘If you need this line clear for the hospital to ring, I’ll go.’ How had she forgotten about Hayley getting her results today? And her tears … the news must have been bad.

‘Sorry,’ Isaac said ruefully. ‘I’ve got to take her back to the hospital tomorrow afternoon but— Oh, shit! I’ve got the call-waiting beep.’