It was strange to think that while she’d been trying to contact him, thinking he was helping Anya move into someone else’s flat, she knew now he was actually sleeping with her in Liv’s bed. Somehow, that idea didn’t rattle her half as much as coming back to a flat with no basic supplies left for her. Perhaps it was because she’d already faced up to the reality that Eddie was a cheat, but it was the state of the kitchen that confirmed the fact that she’d been a complete mug. Either way, it completely incensed her, so she knew there was absolutely no way she’d be able to switch off enough to sleep. If she wasn’t going to bed, at least she could set about putting the mess her flat had been turned into back to some order. Maybe she could get a head start on moving every single item that belonged to the pair of them over to Eddie’s workshop between her shifts over the next few days. She was counting on Pete to help her with the transport end of things, although she wouldn’t organise that until everything was packed up and ready to go. She figured there was no point in both of them losing a night’s sleep.

When she finally got home, the first thing she spotted was that Pete had already been there while she was at work. He’d parcelled up half a dozen black refuse bags, which she presumed contained some of Anya’s belongings, and Liv wondered if Pete hadn’t packed these for Anya at his own apartment before he finally got her to leave. There was an appearance of organisation and care taken about them that resonated more with what she knew of Pete than what she supposed of Anya. A new lock for the front door sat on her kitchen table; Pete would have left it there with the intention of replacing the old one, the next time he dropped over to visit her. The old lock was as finicky as a witch at Christmas; one of these days, she knew it was going to seize up. Changing it was not just about keeping Eddie out. When she went to put her groceries in the fridge, she saw Pete had already stocked it up for her with the basic necessities she’d need for breakfast and a bottle of white wine with a Post-it note attached – Thought you might enjoy a glass after your first day back.

He was absolutely right. Liv poured a small amount of wine into the bottom of one of the glasses she’d left washed on the draining board. It was lovely, cool and crisp and she felt the alcohol immediately kick into her muscles, relaxing her even though she hadn’t realised that she was quite so wound up after the day.