Lottie suddenly turned to him. ‘You’re going to be training with Haru for the next hour, right?’ And once again she did something he couldn’t read, recoiling after she spoke, like she was disappointed in herself.

‘Yes, and if I didn’t know any better I’d think you were trying to get rid of me.’

Lottie shrank under the accusation, round cheeks going pink in that oh-so familiar way. ‘No, I just need some privacy for a little while.’

They were at a stand-off, neither of them wanting to be the first to break away, but it was as plain as day that there was somewhere she needed to be. Seeming to realize he was on to her, Lottie was the first to cave, plastering on that fake smile he could always see through.

‘I’ll see you in an hour, OK?’ She began to skip off before Jamie could protest, calling behind her, ‘And I promise I’m fine so you can stop looking at me like that.’

Jamie froze like he’d been burned. He didn’t know if she’d picked the words intentionally, but they sent a surge of fire through his belly. They were a searing reminder that she’d noticed there was something different in the way he approached her, something he couldn’t control, ever since Tokyo, ever since she’d found him at his most vulnerable. Ever since he’d met the Goat Man.

Without a second thought, he marched to the Ivy dorm, knowing exactly what he was going to do, despite his misgivings.

As if he’d read his mind, Haru was there, drenched in the golden sun, waiting for him at the gate to Ivy Wood.

‘I was coming to find you,’ Jamie said stupidly, knowing full well they always met there. ‘I know we usually meet up today and …’ It wasn’t often that Jamie found himself unable to finish a sentence but Lottie’s words were still burning in his chest and he was at once overwhelmed by them.

‘What’s wrong?’ Haru tilted his head in curiosity, one lock of his curly hair spilling forward, like a tiny ram’s horn.

Jamie was unable to look at Haru directly, the light behind him was too strong and made him think of Lottie. ‘I’m not sure,’ he confessed, only realizing it was true after he’d said it out loud.

‘I don’t have any work I need help with today and I’m not in any mood for training,’ said Haru. Jamie’s shoulders sagged in disappointment, and Haru gave him a thoughtful look, likely taking note of his reaction. ‘Do you want to go for a walk instead?’