Right. I knew what I was about to say was a breach of confidence, but I was doing it for all the right reasons. This infuriating man was leaving me no other option. I hoped Lily would understand. I sucked in a long breath of air. “Look. I didn’t want to say anything as I am breaching a confidence, but you ought to know that Lily Cruickshank – the woman to whom that letter is addressed – has just been diagnosed with a heart problem.”

There was a brief frisson of something down the line. An awkward pause ensued. “How do you know that?”

I hesitated. “She told me herself. I wasn’t going to betray her trust but you are being so bloody stubborn about this, I feel like I had no choice.”

Flynn Talbot chewed this over. “I don’t believe you. This all seems rather convenient. You reporters aren’t known for your honesty.”

His sweeping generalisation stung. “We aren’t all underhand, I can assure you, Mr Talbot.”

Another jagged, quiet spell ensued between us, until I jumped in to fill it.

“This lady lives alone opposite Merry Wood. I’ve been told by a very reliable source that she is refusing to even consider leaving her home and I think I might know why. It’s because she doesn’t want to be parted from her memories there.” I allowed that to sink in for a moment before speaking again. “And these are memories which I think you know more about than you are prepared to say.” I dragged a weary hand through my tangle of curls. “Can’t you listen to your conscience, Mr Talbot, and do the right thing?”

“It’s not as easy as that,” he snapped all at once, making my brows zing upwards. So, I was right. He did know something.

He let out a ragged sigh down the line. “I do sympathise, but like I told you, I can’t help.”

What did that mean? It’s not as easy as that? Frustration flooded through me. “This lady has been loyal to that strange house for goodness knows how many years…”

“Well, more fool her.”

“Pardon?”

“People can let you down, Ms Baxter. Even family.”

What was he alluding to now?

“Mr Talbot, you have the power to help this lady. I think you know more than you’re prepared to say.”

He started to gruffly protest, but I carried on. “Even though she has found out she has this heart condition, she is still devoted to looking out for Merry Wood. Don’t you want to help her? How can you just refuse to help?”

But before I had the chance to try and persuade him to talk to me, Flynn Talbot cut me off. “I’m sorry, Ms Baxter. I do sympathise. But it’s complicated. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve had to break off from a photoshoot with a very prestigious client.”