‘But what about the shop? Isn’t this your busiest time?’

‘Yes. Normally. But you saw how empty the shelves were by the end of today. I’ve barely done any new work since Dad died.’ She leans forward, her emotions controlling her words. ‘I need to go there, Leon. Please come with me. You know I have so few childhood memories, that my father kept things close.’ Her voice cracks up a notch, trembles a little. ‘That sometimes I feel I never knew him at all.’ She buries her face in her hands for a moment, before adding, ‘I can’t explain it, but it’s as though Flynn Hotel holds the key. I’ve got to go there, Leon, and I’d rather not be alone.’ She doesn’t want to beg, but she will, if she has to.

He bites down on his lip. ‘OK.’

‘OK?’ She flings her arms around his neck. Holds him close for a moment, then releases him. ‘Thank you.’

He glances down at Henry, who seems to be listening, sitting upright now, watching them.

‘Oh God. Henry,’ she says, covering her mouth. ‘Maybe we could take him with us.’

‘Or my parents could look after him. You know what they’re like – the more dogs the merrier.’

Alice feels a pang. She loves Leon’s parents, and misses not seeing them. They always made a fuss of her. Made her feel welcome. She loved her dad with every part of her, but her upbringing had been far from typical. She never doubted her father loved her, but she would have given anything to have a brother or sister, cousins, grandparents – a mother; more noise – more life – within the quiet walls of Butterfly Cottage.

The normality of Leon’s life was always refreshing: two sisters, two dogs, a dad who taught at the local primary school, a mum who worked as a classroom assistant. Alice loved being part of their world. If only Leon hadn’t pushed for marriage and kids, if it could have stayed just the two of us.

‘Do you think they would mind?’ she says. ‘Henry’s no trouble. But it seems a bit cheeky.’

‘They won’t mind at all. We can drop him off in the morning.’ He shrugs, looks down at the menu. ‘Now can we order some food? I’m starving.’

Chapter 9

Halloween Weekend 2019

Alice

Leon’s parents’ spaniels race to greet Henry, tails spinning like sycamore seeds caught in the wind.

Leon closes the back gate behind him, as Alice strokes the dogs, telling them how gorgeous they are.

‘It’s so good to see you, Alice,’ Leon’s mum calls from the back door. She’s wearing her usual black leggings, faded at the knees, and a thigh-length sweater, her silver-grey hair pinned up loosely, her face stretched into a wide smile. Within moments she’s dashing up the neat garden towards Alice, her arms wide.