‘Happiness: A New Way of Life, by Isabella Tosetti,’ Edie said, studying the cover. She took the book and opened the back. ‘It’s one of ours, but I’m not supposed to give out personal details.’

‘I found something valuable inside,’ Harri lied.

Edie looked at her expectantly.

‘I’d rather not say what it is, that way I can confirm its rightful owner.’

Edie pursed her lips. She didn’t look completely satisfied, but it was excuse enough. She turned to the computer terminal and typed in some characters.

‘This was our only copy and it was last borrowed by . . .’ she trailed off. ‘Oh, I don’t have to protect the borrower’s details. She died a few months ago. Elizabeth Asha. It was so sad. She had cancer. We held a vigil for her. It was beautiful. Hundreds of people with candles out by their house. I went. Cried buckets. Donated money. They raised tons, but it didn’t do any good. Her husband died not long after. They say it was suicide. He left their son . . .’ she paused and shook her head. ‘It was a tragedy.’

‘That sounds awful,’ Harri remarked. ‘Poor family. Poor kid. How do you get over something like that?’

‘I’m not sure you ever do,’ Edie said, and the two of them reflected on a family’s suffering for a moment.

‘Do you mind if I use a computer?’ Harri asked.

‘Go ahead,’ Edie replied, gesturing at a line of terminals near a big window.

LOCAL VIGIL DRAWS HUNDREDS

14 February

Hundreds of Leek residents joined the friends and family of Dr Elizabeth Asha for a vigil outside her home in Upper Hulme. Dr Asha, a physicist at Keele University, was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer eighteen months ago. She has been undergoing treatment, and the local community has come together to raise funds to pay for novel therapies.

Cynthia Hughes, a friend of the family, said, ‘Beth is such a wonderful person. She deserves every chance. This is a celebration of her, but it’s also a celebration of hope.’

Through a family spokesperson, Elizabeth Asha’s husband, David, thanked all those who attended the vigil, saying he and the family had been touched by the kindness and support.

Katie Harper, Leek Advertiser

MISADVENTURE VERDICT

6 September

A verdict of death by misadventure was returned in respect of Dr David Asha of Upper Hulme, Staffordshire, who disappeared on 14 June. Dr Asha had been recently bereaved after the death of his wife, Elizabeth, who passed away in April, after succumbing to her long battle with cancer. Friends say Dr Asha had been distraught at his wife’s death and had become increasingly isolated. He was seen near Arthog in Wales on the day of his death, walking near the clifftops. He is survived by his son, Elliot.

Katie Harper, Leek Advertiser

Two lives and boundless tragedy summed up in a brace of short newspaper articles. The misadventure verdict had been delivered a week ago. These people weren’t long gone. Harri looked away from the library monitor and wondered why a scientist would write a message in a book, suggesting ‘he’ (her husband?) was trying to kill her. She was intrigued by David Asha’s death. The coroner might have ruled misadventure, but a depressed man hanging around clifftops probably wasn’t there for the view. Could it have been suicide as Edie had suggested? Had he struggled with grief? Or was it guilt? What had happened to the child? Had he been taken into care? Was he safe?