They shared a glance and he found a smile. “Thank you,” he said. “I’m sure I’ll be able to sort out her passport details.”

Liv packed up the rest of her things. She cleaned her teeth and shoved her phone into her bag without checking it. She stuffed as many of the gifts as possible into her case, leaving the flowers and fruit behind.

In the lobby, she passed a signed copy of The River After Midnight to the man on reception then positioned herself under the staircase so no one would see her. When the car pulled up outside, Liv hurried out of the hotel and slipped into the back seat, sinking down out of sight.

It was only when she arrived at the airport and checked her phone that she saw the flurry of missed phone calls and messages from Jake.

Liv. Phone home. Urgent.

20

NIGHT CREAM

Liv tried to call Jake back, but her phone battery was dead. At Dubrovnik Airport, she found a pay phone but couldn’t reach him. She left a voice message explaining her situation and advised him her flight was on time.

She spent the entire return journey home willing the airplane to fly faster. The worried lump in her throat meant she couldn’t eat or drink any refreshments during the flight.

When she landed back at Manningham, Liv grabbed her luggage off the conveyor belt and jogged through customs.

Jake and the boys stood waiting with sorrowful faces.

“Are you okay?” Jake sped toward her.

Liv’s eyes alighted on the navy fabric encasing Johnny’s arm and holding it across his torso. His fingers poked out of the end, pale and limp. “What happened?” she gasped.

“Didn’t you get my calls and texts?” Jake said. “I asked the hotel to push a note under your door. Johnny’s broken his arm.”

Liv’s face felt hot with guilt. She hadn’t checked her own bedroom when she left the hotel, only Essie’s suite. “I didn’t get the message,” she said.

“We should complain. I specifically told them to—”

“It doesn’t matter. I’m here now.”

“I slipped on some mud,” Johnny said dolefully.

Mack stared at him. “You said you broke it playing footie.”

“The ground was muddy.”

“Okay, lads,” Jake said. “Let your mum catch her breath. She’s only just landed.” He took hold of Liv’s suitcase and frowned at its weight, testing it with his hand. “What have you got in there, more bricks?” he said.

Liv smiled weakly. The four of them walked toward the exit.

“How was your break?” Jake asked her, and she wasn’t sure if he was being sarcastic or not.