‘But what if he’s faking? You said yourself it was highly unlikely he’d have no other symptoms from his surgery. It’s pretty bloody convenient that he’s lost only his memories.’

‘Only my memories?’ Harry could feel his own rage building. Karene had said these people were friends, but they were looking at him as a suspect.

‘Harry, I’m sorry. This is nothing to do with you. This is because of things that have happened in our collective past, things you don’t need to be inconvenienced by.’ Bloom gestured for Jameson to sit but he stood tall with his back straight.

‘Do you two need a minute?’ said Seraphine.

‘I tell you what we do need—’ started Jameson.

Bloom stood. ‘OK, Marcus. Let’s have this out.’ She walked past him, away from the table, and he followed. Harry watched them stop just outside the door. Bloom was talking. Jameson had his arms crossed as he stared her down.

‘So,’ said Seraphine.

Harry met her eyes. They were unusually blue. He wondered if she wore contacts.

‘They’re great people and they’re trying their best, but they’re simply not capable of helping you.’

‘How do you know about this Alina?’

‘I pay attention. It’s sort of my thing. Lots of fingers. Lots of pies.’ She brushed a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. Her movements were smooth and precise. He had the sense that everything this woman did she did on purpose. ‘I can give you all the answers you need, from what you’ve forgotten to why you’ve forgotten it.’

‘You know why someone’s done this to me?’

‘I do.’

‘How? Who are you? What’s your involvement?’

Seraphine observed Bloom and Jameson. ‘Let’s just say I’m an interested party. Someone who won’t hold anything back or keep any secrets.’ She met Harry’s gaze again. ‘So do you want to know?’

‘Of course I do.’ Was she suggesting that Bloom and Jameson knew more than they were letting on?

‘Good. There’s a condition.’

‘Why does that not surprise me?’

Seraphine smiled. ‘I like you, Harry. You’re very direct. But I am going to have to ask you to choose.’

Harry’s every instinct told him to beware, but he had to know what was going on. ‘Choose what?’

Seraphine tilted her head to the doorway. ‘Me or them.’

61

They had time at East Croydon so Sophie visited the Ladies and Jake bought a movie magazine. The train they boarded was busy with commuters so Karene had to stand in the aisle beside where Jake and Sophie sat. She kept her eyes on them the whole way, still a little spooked by the guy on the last train.

‘Mum’s working late,’ said Sophie, reading a message on her phone. ‘She says we should get some tea with you.’