‘Forgetting me is not the worst thing that could have happened and I’m still part of his life, just in a different way.’ She was surprised how unemotional her words sounded.

‘He was so happy with you though.’ Sophie picked at the skin around her thumbnail. It was red and swollen.

Karene looked down the carriage as a woman carrying a large rucksack apologized to the man sitting a few tables away. The man told her not to worry, he wasn’t hurt, and the woman carried on walking holding the rucksack behind her back with one arm so it wouldn’t hit anyone else. The man at the table glanced at Karene then went back to his book. Something about how quickly he averted his eyes struck her as curious. She felt a tingle of adrenaline. Marcus had said they were fine if they stuck to public transport. He had given her a route. They were to change trains at East Croydon and take the Bedford train to St Albans, then catch a bus across town to where Caroline lived. He’d even found the right bus stop for her. ‘Hide in plain sight,’ he’d said. ‘As long as you’re with other people, you’re safe.’

60

Harry watched the interaction between Bloom and the blonde woman with fascination. The dynamic was weird, off somehow. It sounded like Bloom had hired the woman as an investigator but the blonde was dismissive to the point of disparaging. How did she run a business speaking to her clients as though they were beneath her? She kept glancing at Harry, holding eye contact for longer and longer with each look. A less vigilant man might think she was attracted to him, but Harry figured she might be flirting on purpose. But why?

‘You wanted to know who kidnapped our lovely Harry,’ said the blonde. ‘Hi, I’m Seraphine.’ She held an elegant hand out to Harry.

‘You said that two groups were after him,’ said Bloom.

Seraphine smiled. ‘I may have exaggerated. There is definitely one group after him.’

‘So why did you say there were two?’ said Bloom.

Seraphine shrugged and the look on her face suggested she really did have no idea.

‘Stop wasting our time, Seraphine. You said you had valuable information for Harry and Karene. That’s the only reason I agreed to your coming here. What do you know? Who’s after Harry? I take it they have something to do with this girl.’ Augusta pointed to the photograph of their suspected migrant.

‘Ah, Alina Maree,’ said Seraphine.

Before Harry or Bloom had a chance to ask about Alina Maree, Jameson was looming over them. ‘What the hell is this?’ His expression was dark and his eyes wild with anger. He held a bunch of keys in Harry’s face, too close for Harry to focus.

Harry leaned back a touch. ‘They’re my keys. Did you take my jacket?’