My one regret is that we didn’t get the chance to meet in person. I just hope I was a good neighbour to you while I was here. And if not, please don’t take it out on Courtney when she returns. She’s a sweet and incredibly generous person who was good enough to lend me a place to lick my wounds after my last disaster, and if you take the opportunity to get to know her as you and I have, I know she will be an even better neighbour in the long run.

So that’s it. Not exactly sure where I’m going to end up next but know that I will always think of you fondly. And perhaps our paths may even cross again sometime. In this town, you just never know. Only in New York.

P-2 (The Temporary Version)

Another loose end tied up, but Hannah was surprisingly emotional as she signed off. Her nerves were frayed to pieces these days.

She looked at the cat, who was now finished eating and had been sitting on the floor, staring up at her as if wondering what she had written.

‘He’s a bit of a grump who takes time to warm up to, but I’m sure he’ll do the job until your owner comes looking for you, or you just decide to make your way home. Or maybe you two will be the perfect match.’

The cat offered an uninterested sniff in response.

Folding up the paper, Hannah stood and stretched, feeling antsy. Getting some air and ridding herself of all this anxious energy would do her good. Or else she’d just hole up for the night with a bottle of wine but then have a raging hangover to contend with on top of everything else.

‘I’m going out for a walk,’ she told the cat. ‘You do – well, whatever it is that you do when I’m not here – and I’ll see you in a bit.’ Reaching down, she gave it a gentle scratch behind the ears before heading out the door.

Approaching the door to P-1, Hannah cast a final glance over the words before slipping the note under the door, wondering why she felt so wistful about saying goodbye to someone she’d never met.

Chapter 67

WARD

‘So now that everyone’s decided you’re a hero and not a knuckle-dragging goon, I’ve received an influx of new clients. Seems people think I’m the mastermind behind your … um … stamina.’ Shelley’s eyes twinkled with amusement and Ward, no matter how down in the dumps he still felt, couldn’t help but smile.

Today’s session was their last since he was now back training with the team and they’d arranged to meet in the park for a gentle jog.