Liv’s throat tightened at the sight of Essie’s two ex-husbands standing before her. “Ted, have you met Hank Milligan before?”

Ted visibly stiffened. “I’ve not had that opportunity.”

“Hey, man, I hear you’re one of the best book guys in town,” Hank said. “Ess said some great things ’bout ya. She sure appreciated the best of everything. Me and you are proof of that.”

Ted found a small smile. “That’s very kind of you to say so. Would you like a cup of tea?”

They both made their way over to the table.

After the two men had talked for a while, Chloe arrived and Liv introduced her to Hank. “Chloe wrote a lovely piece about Georgia Rory fans everywhere,” she told him. “She used your quotes wisely.”

Hank shook her hand but then his forehead crinkled. “Are you the hack that was snooping around Ess?” He kept hold of her fingers.

Liv’s and Chloe’s eyes met.

“I changed my mind about my story. It takes the same amount of words to bring joy, as it does to hurt,” Chloe said. “I’d prefer my writing to do some good.”

Hank nodded at her. “I’m all for second chances, doll,” he said, briefly catching Liv’s eye.

Liv Skyped Meg, who wasn’t able to make it to the tea party.

“I’m with you all in spirit, Livvy darling,” she said. Her eyes were pink as she fiddled with her crystal earring. “So dreadfully upsetting I can’t join you in person.”

Liv propped her phone up against a vase so Meg had a good view of the table. She moved closer to the screen to keep their conversation private. “Have you had a chance to read Essie’s manuscript yet?” she said.

Please let the book be worthy of Essie and her fans, she thought.

Meg’s expression gave nothing away until she fluttered a hand to her heart. “I devoured the entire thing in one reading, Livvy,” she said. “Essie really knocked it out of the park this time. The ending is wonderful, so poignant. I totally understand that Georgia needs to find herself. So many readers will relate to that.”

Tears of relief rushed to Liv’s eyes and she blinked up at the ceiling so Meg wouldn’t notice.

“Oh, don’t cry, darling. You’ll set me off.” Meg dabbed her nose with a tissue. “Essie certainly left her best work until last. I wish she were here, so I could tell her to her face. Not that I’d seen it for a long time. And, of course we’ll need edits... I wonder if you’d be interested, Livvy? You know her creative spirit so well.”

“Thanks.” Liv smiled to herself. “Perhaps I could take a look.”

She looked around her, and didn’t feel out of place among all these book people. She was no longer on the outside looking in.