‘Don’t answer her every time,’ Edgar said once, when she was complaining. ‘Wait until she’s sober.’

His words still haunted her now.

The blare of a car horn behind her made her jump. She took her foot off the brake and accelerated. Another loud horn blared. She slammed on her brakes. She’d nearly collided with a car coming from the left. Her phone rang again, startling her. She answered using the hands-free. It was Maxie.

‘Hi, Liv. How was Edgar? Was it a good visit?’

‘Oh, it was great. Wonderful. We had such a laugh together. Talked about the old times. How do you think it was, Maxie? Edgar doesn’t know what day it is, let alone what time it is. Two weeks could go by without me visiting him and he wouldn’t even miss me.’

There was a long pause. ‘Liv? Are you okay?’

‘I’m sorry.’ Another breath. ‘It was the same as it always is. I go to see him for me, not him. I talk to him as if he is well. I even leave pauses for him to answer.’

‘I wish you’d let me visit him too.’

‘I told you. I don’t want you to see him. Not like this.’

‘Have the boys been in recently?’

‘Rory was in last week. I don’t know about Alex. He always says he finds it “troubling” to go there.’ She said the words in a sarcastic tone.

‘Maybe it is.’

‘He’s their father, Maxie. Too bad if it’s troubling. It’s troubling for me. They’re both happy to reap the rewards of being Edgar’s sons, but without any of the work. Alex is stealing again. Not only alcohol. Paintings now too, I think. Rory only ever wants to be in his workshop. Sometimes I wonder if I’m the only one who cares about the hotel any more. Or if I’m making a mess of it all myself.’

‘Of course you’re not, Liv. You’ve done wonderful work there. I think you just need to talk about it all with someone.’

‘You think I should go and see a therapist?’

‘No, I think you should drive to Glasgow tomorrow to pick me up. My surgeon said I’m ready to be discharged. You can talk to me as much as you need.’

Chapter Twenty-three

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Eliza arrived back into Edinburgh on the overnight train. It was barely eight a.m. as she walked out into Waverley Station again.

She’d finished packing up Maxie and Hazel’s flat in record time, working with new energy after her visit to the Tate. After two full days of efficient sorting, packing and labelling, all their belongings were now with the removal company, ready for shipping to New York.