“Most of the pages are hand stitched,” Jake muttered, his face red at overstepping the mark. “It’s a skilled trade.”

“And so is writing books, no matter what kind they are. Why should a book on politics be more highly regarded than a novel that entertains millions of readers? Without writers you wouldn’t even have any pages to assemble.” Liv stuffed the cash back into her bag. She realized with a jolt that usually she wouldn’t have said anything.

Jake’s shoulders slumped and he held out a hand. “I’m sorry. I’m under a lot of pressure right now.”

“You and me both,” she said.

He took her into his arms and she reluctantly let him. “I am really proud of you,” he said, kissing the top of her head. “The cake looks delicious and it’s great Essie is recognizing your skills. It’s been a long time coming. I knew you could do more than cleaning.”

Liv wanted to tell him that cleaning was an art form, too, but she was tired, and it had been a while since she’d felt the warmth of his body against hers. She inhaled the smell of ink on the neck of his shirt and within seconds imagined she was Georgia Rory in the arms of her mysterious hero.

“Why don’t you go and get changed?” Jake said gently, pulling away. “The pasta will be ready in ten minutes.”

In the bedroom, Liv’s cheeks were still fiery from his comments. She tugged off her clothes and pulled on fresh ones. She found her hairbrush in her bedside drawer and dragged it through her hair. As she placed it back inside, she saw the corner of a photo poking out. She picked it up and sank down onto her bed to study it.

Liv was around ten years old, standing between her parents and holding their hands. Her dad wore a black suit and striped tie, just as she always remembered him. He had a flock of wavy hair with the tips of his ears peeping through, and looked so formal compared to Jake. Carol was neat and tidy as always in a pencil skirt and tight sweater. Liv wore a cardigan with glass buttons, and a paisley tiered skirt. The three of them grinned for the camera.

They’d been such a happy family, the house full of laughter and books. Just how she, Jake, Mack and Johnny used to be.

Liv had been a carefree, if studious, girl back then. She loved the simple things in life, reading novels in bed, and eating crisps in the park, just like her dad.