She sat and stared at a photograph she had on the wall of her parents and Olivia. Damn, she missed them. Missed having her mum to talk to, her sister to take her mind off adult things and just have fun with. Her dad gave pretty good hugs too, even if he didn’t know what was upsetting her, he still hugged generously and unconditionally.

Why were they so far away? Of course she knew the answers but they were of little comfort.

A tear welled and she blinked hoping it would reabsorb—it didn’t. Instead it trickled down her cheek. She flopped back onto the pillow and let it soak into the soft cotton. A quiet sob bubbled up from her chest and she bunched her hands beneath her chin, drew her knees up and wished it would all go away—all this damn mess with Dylan. She couldn’t go to James’ house. It was too late. Everything was ruined.

Sleep was slow to arrive and when it did, her dreams were laced with thoughts of James, Dylan and dark figures lurking in shadows. Her heart beat fast and sweat prickled over her skin. Dylan’s crazed eyes haunted her. James was there but fading, his outline drifting away, swallowed by fog and erased from her sight. She was losing him. He was lost. Gone.

Eventually morning came but Megan felt no less tired. Frantic dreams and vivid memories had robbed her of rest. The first thing she did was check her phone. Maybe James had called in the night and she hadn’t heard it ring. Perhaps he’d left a text message, saying he’d see her today.

Nothing. Not even a good morning from Brendon. But then it was only six a.m., too early for him to be up and about.

She showered, dressed and made a pot of tea. She’d get to the office early and make a start on the last fashion slot for Ralph and Jayne. Then leave a list of daily and weekly jobs she’d need Enid to keep on top of while she went into design mode and worked on next season’s collection. She’d likely do that from home, where she would be less distracted.

Enid was a keeper for sure. A bunch of flowers for Georgie to say thank you for sending such a competent assistant was in order. It was what had put her off getting help for so long, the thought of having someone scatty disturbing her ordered system. And yes, she would admit it now, as James had pointed out, giving up control was indeed hard when Winter Shoes was so important to her.

James.

Just thinking of him again made her heart ache.