Afterwards, did she or was it Lawrence who suggested a walk? It was dark, but there were other people out. The spotlit castle was the centrepiece of the town. They decided to walk around the perimeter walls. Halfway around, they stopped abruptly at the sight and sound of a flock of black birds, rooks or ravens, flitting in and out from one of the towers. They were standing close. They were alone. He turned. She turned. It felt like the most natural thing to lean into him, to kiss him, feel the gentle pressure of his lips in return. For that kiss to go on, as his arms came around her, pulled her in closer. To give herself over entirely to touch. To feel a rising desire, his lips on hers, on her neck, her lips again, as his arms tightened, a building sensation —

‘Lovely night for it,’ a voice said behind them.

An elderly woman, walking a small white dog.

‘Yes,’ they agreed.

They walked back to the hotel. Not holding hands, but close. In the foyer, there was a moment, but it passed, without words. She thanked him again for everything. He wished her well with the meeting the next morning. They went to their separate rooms.

She tried to sleep, tossing and turning, before giving up and opening the curtains, watching the sky slowly lighten above the castle. Waiting until it was time to go to Sheila’s apartment.

Chapter Thirty-four

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

In Edinburgh, Olivia was still wide awake. She hadn’t been able to stop thinking about Alex’s unexpected visit to her office that morning. His unexpected offer.

He’d come in and taken a seat across from her. ‘Rory told me you were in with Dad for hours last night. How is he?’

That surprised her. They rarely spoke about Edgar. Olivia didn’t like getting upset in front of Alex or Rory. She wasn’t even sure how often they visited their father these days. ‘He’s fine,’ she said. Then a wave of tiredness hit her. She was fighting a headache. She massaged her temples.

‘Is he? Are you?’ Alex said.

She started to say, ‘Yes, everything’s fine.’ But it wasn’t. To her own surprise, and Alex’s, her voice caught. She had to reach for a tissue, hide her eyes.

‘Olivia?’

‘Just a second,’ she said, her voice muffled.

‘Do you want to be alone?’

‘Alone?’ She dropped her hands. ‘More alone? I can’t do this any more, Alex. I’ve tried so hard to do what your father would want, but I’m failing, aren’t I? I know you and Rory are unhappy here, but I don’t know how to fix it. I’ve tried with Celine, but —’ Her voice caught. What had happened to her? Was it hormones? Exhaustion? She was falling apart. In front of Alex, of all people.