When the food arrived, Liv sat on the end of her bed. She ate her burger and fries with silver-plated cutlery and drank a large glass of Merlot, then watched a Croatian DIY program on TV while waiting for the jacuzzi to run. There was no loud music, banging or floorboards groaning. Only the gentle sound of bubbling water, and it was blissful.

17

BOOKPLATES

Liv woke to sunlight dappling on the ceiling and the faint smell of cooked bacon and eggs. At first, she thought she was still at home until she saw the sea glistening through a gap in the curtains. The beautiful view made her heart race, beating harder as she thought about what today held in store. She sat up in bed and used the Sharpie to fashion Essie’s signature on the bookplates.

After a quick shower, she dressed in a cream linen dress, tan wedged sandals, and added one of Essie’s blue scarves around her neck to match the Coach handbag. She pushed the striped tie into her pocket, to add a touch of Georgia, too. She placed both versions of the manuscript in the tote bag and heaved it onto her shoulder, planning to work on them if she was at a loose end.

When she stood at the top of the staircase, the activity in the lobby below made her skin feel clammy. People were already bustling around, and she felt like it was her first day in her new school. She reached up and rubbed her back, where elbows had once drilled into her ribs. Too nervous to eat breakfast, she headed directly to the exhibition area where she registered at the desk and received her own name badge.

Liv’s right shoulder hung low from her bag as she entered the football pitch–sized room. The ceiling was high and arched with colorful banners hanging down. There were rows of stands for publishers and literary agencies, and her eyes skirted around in wonderment. She was so busy looking at all the books that she didn’t notice Marlon heading toward her.

“Morning, Liv. All set for today?” he blasted. “How’s Essie?”

Liv smiled faintly.

“Oh, no, a migraine still? Awful things. Has she taken anything for it?”

“I guess so.”

“Don’t forget she’s due on the Peregrine stand in an hour. Meg can give you a copy of her agenda.” He paused and his eyes fixed somewhere behind Liv.

She followed his gaze to see a tall gray-bearded man who she recognized from somewhere. He held his phone to his ear, and when Liv spotted the rose tattoo on the back of his hand, she caught her breath. “Who’s that?” she whispered to Marlon, remembering the hidden photo she’d found in Essie’s award room. The man looked older now. Had he left the white roses outside Essie’s suite?

Marlon nervously stroked his goatee. “It’s Essie’s ex-agent, Sven.”