He tilted them this way and that. “They look more like vintage pieces. May I take them to show my colleague? He’s one of the store owners.”

Liv nodded. She browsed the showroom while waiting for him to return. As she studied bracelets that cost the equivalent of her annual mortgage, she could never understand the appeal of wearing such expensive trinkets. What if you lost an earring while swimming, or a ring while out shopping? Her own wedding ring was a thin gold band with the tiniest diamond. She’d always loved wearing it, and the sentiment behind it was more important than the materials.

The man returned with the box. “They’re certainly exquisite,” he said. “My colleague says the cuff links are a one-off commission piece originating from the late eighties.”

“How can he tell?”

The man smiled. “Because he made them.”

“Oh.” She smiled back.

“He keeps a record of everything he makes.” The man passed her a slip of paper.

Receipt. Elsbeth Smart. £995

Liv nostrils flared. “That was a lot of money back then.”

“I suppose it was. And they’re worth three or four times that amount today.”

Liv gulped. She wondered who Essie had commissioned them for. She’d have only been in her early twenties when she bought them. It was a lot of money for a young woman to spend. Had she bought them for Anthony, or someone else? And why had she pushed them under her pillow before going into hospital?

“They’re very special,” the man said. “If you ever consider selling them, please do think of us first.”

“I will do, thanks.” Liv placed the box in her pocket, keeping her fingers wrapped around it. This time, she left the shop with her chin held high.

When she returned to the writing desk again, more new feelings raced inside her. Acting like Georgia had given her a thirst for adventure. It was the same feeling she got when she read books, except she was no longer pretending to be a heroine in a story. She was acting like one in real life.

Essie seemed to have left her the task to complete in true Georgia Rory fashion, with a mystery, an impossible task and a ticking clock. A random ghostwriter or editor couldn’t deliver it like she could, and she replayed Anthony’s words in her head, “Essie said only you could do this.” And perhaps he was right. But what plot twists and turns lay ahead in the story?

Liv worked on redrafting yet another chapter. Her work was a little disjointed and she stumbled over words, but she kept pressing on, looking forward with her writing and not back.