“I’d love to think that, too,” he said. “But I’d only be lying to you, and to myself. Essie hadn’t loved me for a long time. Not in that way. It was a one-sided affair, if you can even call it that. I was never enough for her, and I’ve always wondered who really captured her heart.”

As Liv sat with his hand still touching hers, she felt a vein pulsing in his wrist and asked herself the same thing. Did it mean Hank Milligan was the only contender left for the title of Essie’s greatest love? He was married to her for ten years, and by her side the night she won the Constellation Prize. Would he know why she dropped out of the public eye? In order to finally tie up the loose ends of the mystery, and to write the end to Georgia’s story, Liv needed to speak to him. He just might be the missing link to it all.

25

PINE TREES

That night, Liv lay in bed listening to Jake snoring gently beside her. She marveled at how soundly he could sleep, whereas her thoughts wouldn’t settle. When she closed her eyes, faceless figures chased her through mazes, up never-ending spiral staircases. She slept intermittently, sometimes not knowing if she was awake or not. When she buried her head in the pillow, different scenarios scuttled around in her mind.

What if Anthony didn’t announce Essie’s death at all? Did anyone actually need to know the author was dead? It would only distress and disappoint her fans. Could they both keep silent about the author’s death forever? Perhaps Liv could continue to do Essie’s admin and also write her books. There could be a Book Twenty-one and Twenty-two, and readers would love it. Anthony said he was Essie’s rock. Perhaps he might want to keep her spirit alive, too. In Liv’s hazy state, it all felt possible.

However, as dawn broke and the bedroom filled with gray light, she was groggy and tired. She realized she’d been thinking crazily and her brain tossed new thoughts around instead. Would the inheritance from Essie allow her to carry on writing instead of cleaning? And what would she write? She’d been dedicating her life to Georgia Rory. What would Liv be without her?

As the bedroom grew even lighter, Jake began to shuffle around, and she got up and made toast and jam for breakfast.

Outside, the sky was gloomy. Rain specked the windows and dripped off trees. Liv put on a dress and blazer, adding black tights.

When she reached the apartment block, Liv stood on the pavement for a while and surveyed all the people milling around outside. Most of them were heading to their jobs, walking with impetus. She thought how her own purpose might end on November the first.