Grant Cooper didn’t care for the trimmings that came with university life, the end-of-term drinks that lasted all afternoon, the glitzy proms and the glamour of big-name authors who visited his lecture theater. His eyes shone brightest when he taught his students about character journeys, story goals and plot twists, and when Liv got great marks for her creative writing at school.

Liv’s heart ached as she remembered the day Peggy had been waiting for her at school, sitting in the headmistress’s office and wringing a handkerchief in her hands. As soon as Liv arrived, the headmistress closed the door quickly, her face drawn, and stood behind her desk.

“Your mum’s at the hospital, lovey,” Peggy said.

Liv stood with her arms glued to her sides. She could hear pupils chatting and laughing in the corridor. “Is she okay?”

Peggy didn’t nod or shake her head either. “There’s been an accident.” She took hold of Liv’s hand, something she’d never done before.

“Where’s Dad?” Liv said, her voice weak and raspy.

Peggy swallowed and clasped her handbag. “Let’s get you home and I’ll make us a nice hot drink. I’ll tell you everything then.”

Liv felt queasy as she followed her aunt through the playground and out of the school gates. She felt like the ground was quaking beneath her feet. Something deep inside told her that her dad wasn’t waiting for her in the house. And her instinct was right.

Peggy burst into tears as soon as the front door closed behind them. “Your dad was on his way to meet your mum. He was rushing past a building site when a wall collapsed. He pushed a stranger out of the way, to safety.”

“But, where is he?”

Peggy’s face crumpled. “Gone,” she said, her voice filled with pain. “He took the brunt of the accident. I’m so sorry, love.”

Liv fell to the floor, so shocked she couldn’t even cry.

Here, in the bedroom, her tears welled at the photograph. She gently touched her dad’s face. He was a real hero. Whenever she thought about him, her emotions were tainted with sadness, but she also felt his pride running through her veins. “I’m finally writing,” she whispered to the photo. “I wish you were here to see me, Dad.”

Liv knew he’d be supportive of her new role. She could help her family out more financially, especially if Essie proved to be generous in her will. So why did Jake make her work for the author feel like a frivolity?

12

WHITE ROSES