“No, we contacted everyone yesterday. The shadow-study program was cancelled due to complications with the filming schedule.” It was Archie’s voice. Archie, Brogan’s brother. Archie who’d shown up early and sounded the alarm the day before.

The day before? One day’s difference between waking up warmer and happier than she’d ever been.

“But we didn’t get the message, sir. And we took the first train up from York, and we’ve been sat outside the gates for hours waiting to see the set,” an unfamiliar voice responded. “We won’t be a bother. Can’t we take a look around?”

“I’m afraid not, lad.” Archie sounded apologetic. “It’s a closed set, lots of expensive equipment and moving parts, and the crew is bustling about so much today there’d be no one to keep an eye on you.”

“We’re not some numpties who’ll go around knocking things over. We’re full-time film students. If we learn what we need to learn, we’ll be running a set like this in a couple of years.”

“And I sure hope you are.” Archie didn’t budge. “I wish you all the best in your endeavour.”

“You could help us with our endeavour,” the student pushed, and Vic smiled a bit at his tenacity. It reminded her of Sophia, which sent another hot lance of pain through her core. Sophia, who had pushed and pushed and pushed to get what she wanted, both in her career and her life, only to walk away so Vic could have what she needed in hers.

She jumped up from the desk as if it had caught fire and swung open her office door.

Archie jumped back and stood nearly at attention, but the group of students merely regarded her curiously. There were six of them, all young, dressed smartly in slacks and light sweaters with school emblems.

“We didn’t mean to disturb you, Your La—”

She held up her hand and he fell silent mid-word.

“No worries, Mr. McKay. I couldn’t help overhearing, and I think if these aspiring filmmakers can come all the way up here, the least we can do is give them a little tour.”

“Right.” Archie nodded. “I could ring the summer staff office.”

“No. I’ll do it.”

“You’ll make the call?”

“No. I’ll give the tour.”

He stared at her with a mix of confusion and concern, and she couldn’t help but notice the uncanny resemblance to his sister’s thoughtful expression.

“We’d really appreciate it, Miss,” the lead student offered. “We promise not to be a bother. I know you’re probably busy doing . . .  whatever it is you do around here.”