‘Maybe. Ring her now, before we go to dinner. And remember —’

‘Do some acting? Seriously, Liv, what do you think I’ve been doing for the past twenty years?’

‘Sorry. Break a leg.’

‘Now you’re being mean.’

Eliza was leaving her room when her mobile rang. Maxie calling. She answered, remembering in time that Maxie thought she was still in Melbourne.

‘Good morning!’ she said, looking through her bedroom window at the darkening Edinburgh sky. ‘I could set my watch by you, couldn’t I?’

‘I’ve always been your favourite godmother, haven’t I? Olivia is more the bossy but boring type. I’m the exciting yet still reliable one.’

‘Exactly,’ she said, sitting down on the bed. ‘How are you, how is Hazel, how is work?’

Maxie told her a story or two from the set, spoke about a good film she and Hazel had seen, passed on some salacious gossip about an American actor who was appearing in a West End show a friend of Hazel’s was working on. ‘And how are you, darling? All good at work? How is the demure Gillian?’

‘Same as usual,’ Eliza said.

‘And the Melbourne weather?’

‘As contrary as ever,’ she said.

After a few more minutes, they ended their conversation as they always did.

‘Love you,’ Eliza said.

‘Love you even more,’ Maxie answered.

Moments later, Olivia knocked on the door. Eliza told her about the call from Maxie as they began walking down the corridor. The walls were lined with artwork. Olivia stopped in front of a small, gold-framed painting.

‘This is by an Australian artist. It was the first painting Edgar bought via my gallery.’

Eliza gazed at it. The colours were muted, yet still so layered and rich. A landscape, Australian gum trees and a dirt road, the light and shadow playing against each other.

‘Can I go and see Edgar with you one day, Olivia?’ she asked as they continued walking.

‘Thank you for asking, Eliza, but no, it’s best you don’t. It’s too confusing for him to meet anyone new. Some days I’m not even sure if he remembers me, or Alex and Rory.’

‘I’m so sorry.’

Olivia gave her hand a quick squeeze. ‘I know you are. Thank you.’

They reached the foyer. Olivia watched Eliza take it in. It was lit by standard lamps and a chandelier. Well-groomed staff were moving from one area to another. Guests filled the bar and dining area. Behind the front desk, a man in his thirties with a big smile and glossy dark hair was giving a well-dressed elderly woman his full attention. It was Alex.

‘Head up,’ Olivia whispered. ‘Shoulders back. Smile. And get it over with.’

Eliza spun around. ‘You know? Who? How?’

‘Rory, at the time. And don’t worry, I told Alex off.’

‘That makes it worse.’

‘No. Hopefully it stopped him from being so cruel to someone else.’