“Look,” he turned to her, softening, the warm smile returning. “I understand, I really do. It’s happened before. I know I’m not much of a catch. Too much baggage. Why would anyone want this?” He gestured to himself, to his handsome face, his strong, supple body, toned by hours of nocturnal yoga sessions and daily cardio. She frowned.

“Are you going to force me to compliment you?” He must have been aware of how he looked, of the effect he had on women. He was solvent, handsome, well-spoken, tall. Up until this point she would have said he was modest, but this outlandish display of self-deprecation simply didn’t ring true.

He folded his arms. “I wouldn’t try that. I’d be waiting a long time.”

Ruby had had enough. “Well, you can wait a bit longer then.” She took a deep breath, stood up, and gathered her bag and jacket.

“Please don’t go,” he said. “I’m sorry. I was being a dick.”

She walked toward the door.

“You’re coming back though, right?” he said. “Tomorrow?”

She stopped but didn’t turn. “I don’t know.”

“Leonie loves you,” he said. “And Constance does too.”

“Constance loves me? Really? I doubt it.”

He paused. “Well, she likes you. I can tell.”

“But what about us? I can’t keep coming over if it’s going to be awkward.”

“It won’t be. I guess my pride was hurt a little. But I’ll get over it.”

“It might be better if I stay away for a while.”

“No, please, Ruby. Even if it’s only for the music. I think I’d die if I couldn’t hear you play.”

Will that always be enough for you, though? she wondered. And for how long will it be enough for me?

As she walked out the door, he called after her. “You said you’d help me. Didn’t you?”

Ruby turned to face him. “Of course I’ll help you. I just need some time. A day or so. Then I’ll be back.”

Their eyes met and she hesitated, as if she might go to him, embrace him, let it happen the way she both wanted it to and didn’t want it to. She took a breath, to strengthen her resolve. She left without another word.

CHAPTER

21

NOW

The Social Worker

Sunday, December 23

DIANE IS DRIVING home from a job when she turns on the radio. It’s the news.

A man has been found in a critical condition at his home in Sheffield. Police are appealing for witnesses. A woman, wanted for questioning by police, is missing, along with a child between eighteen months and two years old. The pair were last seen boarding a train from Sheffield to Cleethorpes on Friday afternoon. If anyone has any information about their whereabouts, they are asked to contact Greater Yorkshire Police on …