Liv thought how he’d personally produced the funeral service sheets and how sympathetically the funeral director had consoled him. She couldn’t help thinking about his bee handkerchief and pin badge, and how they matched the cuff links under Essie’s pillow. “You must have heard of her, before then?” she prompted.

“I think I read her first book, a long time ago.”

Before Liv could point out that he knew Essie well enough to recognize her perfume, Anthony peered over her shoulder and read her sonnet. “That’s rather accomplished,” he said.

Liv looked up as a woman wearing a bonnet approached them. “My name is Emily Brontë. Accepting your questions would be my pleasure,” she said.

Liv gripped her handbag. It was strange enough dealing with the Essie situation, without striking up conversation with pretend-deceased authors. She shook her head and Emily Brontë bustled away.

“I have something for you,” Anthony said. He delved into his satchel and handed a thick brown envelope to her.

Liv opened it and gasped at the wad of money inside. “What’s this for?”

“It’s your expenses, anything you need to complete Essie’s task. Six months of spending shouldn’t come out of your own pocket. I’ve also set up your pay increase. You’ll see it in your next wage.”

Wow, Liv thought to herself. She imagined showing her bank statement to Jake and seeing his eyes light up. She also thought about her conversation with Marlon about the deadline for delivering Essie’s book. “I really can’t accept this.”

“Take it.” Anthony smiled. “It may prove useful.”

Liv met his eyes. She took a moment to think how Georgia Rory would handle things. “I actually need more,” she said.

The solicitor frowned and his mouth parted. “More?”

Liv swallowed. “I’ve read Essie’s manuscript and there’s lots of work to do, more than I imagined. I want to do this for her, but I can’t squeeze it around my other cleaning jobs, and I can’t afford to give them up. A raise is great, but I only work for Essie three afternoons a week and I’m in...” She trailed off her words, not wanting to say dire straits.

“Are you telling me you need to work on this full-time?” Anthony said.

Liv nodded. “Essie’s agent won’t extend the deadline.”

His eyes flashed briefly. “You’ve conversed with Marlon?”

“Don’t worry. I didn’t say anything about the Essie situation. I wanted to see if there was more time available to write.”

Anthony pursed his lips and thought for a while. “Please talk to me in future,” he said.

“But I feel like I’m bothering you.” She didn’t say that he made her feel that way.

“I’ll make the necessary arrangements for a full-time salary, on your new pay rate. It may take me a few days to set up a contract.”