Eliza moved from the four-poster bed to the antique dresser, taking in the mahogany wardrobe, the floor-to-ceiling window framed by thick curtains of blue fabric. Everything was in shades of blue and purple, subtly evoking an iris. The artwork – three framed paintings – featured the flower in some way, in a bouquet, in a vase in a portrait of a young woman, and then in a modern sketch.

She turned back, her cheeks bright red. ‘It’s the best room I’ve ever seen. Thank you, Olivia. I’m so glad I’m here.’

Olivia smiled. ‘So am I, darling.’

*

Fifteen minutes later, Eliza was under a hot shower. Olivia had left her to unpack, arranging to meet her in the bar whenever she was ready. She breathed in the citrus-scented bodywash, rinsing the last of the long flight away. She’d made it. She was here, with Olivia, in Edinburgh.

As she stepped out into the beautiful bedroom again, it hit her. Out of the blue, as always. The strongest of urges to talk to her mother.

When would it ever stop, that missing feeling, that longing? Not just to tell her mother where she was, what she was doing, but to ask her all the questions she hadn’t had time to ask, too.

What had her mum done on her first day in Europe, on her big backpacking adventure? Where had she stayed? A cheap hotel, a hostel, a B&B? Nowhere as fancy as the Montgomery, Eliza felt sure of that. Money would have been tight. What did she think when she first saw those low grey skies, the terrace houses, the sheer size of the cities. What did she eat and wear? Where did she socialise? What did she do every day? Was she ever nervous? Worried?

‘She was fearless,’ Maxie always said. ‘If we were ever in trouble, it was because of her.’

It came over Eliza again, a wave of something that felt like homesickness. She took herself through the familiar steps, the ones she’d forced herself to learn over the years. Slow deep breaths. Don’t dwell on sad times. Focus on a happy thought. Remember one of the good stories. Choose from her playlist of happy memories.

It worked. Slowly but surely, the sad feeling ebbed away.

As she was drying her hair with a thick white towel, her phone beeped. Rose. She’d sent several messages since she’d waved her off at the departure gates, all checking she was okay. There’d been a message when Eliza landed in Dubai: One down, one to go! Another on her arrival in Edinburgh: YOU DID IT!! I AM SO PROUD! xxx.

She read the new one. Is everything okay? Was Olivia there to meet you? Xx

She quickly replied that everything was great. She sent several photos of her room.

How will you ever leave?? Any sign of Alex the Cad yet?

Not yet.