“It’s going to sound paranoid.”

“I can tell that.”

“I had a thing with one of the downstairs people. A bit of a falling out.”

She couldn’t imagine what this unassuming person could have done to annoy anyone in the building. From what Sarah had said, she was hardly even aware of his presence. “What happened?”

“It was my music. A man came and banged on the door, said it was too loud. He threatened to ‘fill me in’ if I didn’t turn it down.”

“Really? But you can’t even hear it in the corridor.”

“No, that’s right—not anymore. I had the entire place soundproofed after that, to make sure it never happened again. It was really scary. Oh, wow. I’m not making myself sound very manly, am I?”

They both laughed. “Not really, no. Have you seen the man since then?”

“No, I’ve been avoiding being seen too much. I don’t want to bump into him. Or anyone else I might have unwittingly annoyed, of course.”

“You’re so brave.” She laughed again, teasing.

“Well, too late—it’s public knowledge now. I’m a nerd and a chicken, and I’m proud.”

“Me too,” she said. “Someone in my block complained too, but I was practicing in the middle of the night, so I can’t really blame them.”

‘Practicing?”

“Yes, I play the violin.”

“Professionally?”

“That was the dream. But no, unfortunately not. I’m a teacher.”

“Huh.” He looked thoughtful.

“I’m not very good.”

He frowned. “I bet you’re amazing.”

“I meant I’m not a very good teacher, actually. I wasn’t too bad as a performer. But a lot of it is down to luck, you know. Whether you get to do it for a living.”

“I’d love to hear you play.”

Ruby went red. “Um …”

“Not in the middle of the night, of course. Though I get why you might do that. Some music sounds better when the world is asleep, doesn’t it? And some things, like yoga. They’re better too.”

For a moment, they just looked at each other. Ruby felt like her cheeks were on fire. “So,” he continued, “you never said. How did you get in? Not that I’m not happy to see you, but unless somebody …”

“The woman downstairs let me in. Sarah?”

‘Mrs. Stefanidis? She’s a sweet old thing. Sometimes I wonder how she manages, all alone. I’d help her out, but—”

“You have enough on your plate, sneaking around and trying not to be beaten up?”

“Well, yeah, that and the other thing. The … family thing.”

She followed his eyes to the door across the hallway. Ruby assumed that was where Constance and the child were right now.

“I actually did try your doorbell first, but no joy.”