The first one showed Chloe wearing a floral dress, blazer and tie. Grinning and posing with a copy of The Moon on the Water, her face shone. In another she stood with a small group of men and women holding a handmade banner that said Georgia Forever. The third was an aerial shot of hundreds of fans, taken outside an event. From above, all their faces and dresses looked like a wildflower meadow. A banner on the building said, Georgia Fans United. Chloe had added her own text to the bottom, Having the time of my life, hon. More fun than hanging around Essie’s lobby.

Liv read the article and all the readers’ stories within it. People of all ages shared how Georgia Rory had helped them with jobs and relationships, confidence and mental health issues, inspiring them to be brave and to take chances.

Chloe’s article was ultimately about the power of books and stories. And it was beautiful.

A lump of emotion swelled in Liv’s throat. She ran a hand through her hair and looked at all the people in the photo again. When she imagined them rushing to the shops to buy Essie’s twentieth novel, or ordering it online, her palms grew sticky.

A feeling of expectation crept up on her like wolves upon an injured lamb, nipping at it first before going in for the kill. She was pleased with her writing quality, and the story might work for an earlier novel. But was it truly a fitting goodbye for Georgia? Was Frank really her ideal hero?

Deep down, Liv knew she hadn’t crafted the perfect end to the series.

But what could she do? The ending was the only one she had. She’d put her marriage and sanity at risk to finish the story and honor Essie’s last wish. It would be Essie’s name on the cover, not hers. No one would ever know. She could slip away, back into the side streets. Anything she received from Essie’s will might help to repair her finances, if not her relationship with Jake. Even so, Liv felt she was going to let down Georgia Rory fans everywhere, including herself.

One of Chloe’s sentences stuck in her head. I guess I don’t want to be the person you think I am.

Liv asked herself if she was really being the person she wanted to be.

If her dad were here, he’d congratulate her anyway. He’d encourage her to think positively and not to fret. He’d be proud of her, and she wished he was here to talk to.

Suddenly needing to see his face again, Liv took the box of photos her mum gave her off the shelf. She leafed through them, and her worries settled down a little. Whatever issues her parents had, they looked so strong together.