She had taken his card, the one he had written the address where he was staying on the back of, though he suspected it might end up in the bin, but she had also agreed to at least consider talking to him. He didn’t know if she would get in touch, but at least it was a start.

She had been cool but civil with him on the walk back, which was definitely a step up from slamming the door in his face, but there was still a long way to go and he didn’t have much time.

The Airbnb was his for another couple of weeks and while he had agreed he wouldn’t pursue her for an interview, it didn’t mean he couldn’t bump into her again. Wells was a small town.

She would talk to him one way or another. He just needed to be creative and perhaps a little sneaky about it.

Right now, he was thinking he should do something as an apology, nudge that door open a little wider, and he was googling local florists as he enjoyed a late-afternoon beer on the deck, Tank snoozing and snoring contentedly in the patch of sun at the top of the steps.

A bouquet of flowers might thaw Hannah. Definitely not roses. He didn’t want to give her the wrong idea. Something bright and cheerful. A ‘sorry I knocked you on your arse’ gift, not one that suggested he was interested in her romantically. She was already mad at him, and he didn’t want to upset her further.

He was beginning to wonder if flowers were the right way to go when his phone started ringing. He glanced at the screen, saw ‘Mum’ flashing up, and hesitated before answering it, wondering why she was calling.

She knew he was out of town. Had something happened?

Their relationship had never been the easiest and she had been absent for a large part of his life, but still she was his responsibility, his own flesh and blood, and he had promised he would take care of her.

‘Hello?’

‘Oh, Liam. There you are.’

‘What’s up, Mum?’

‘I just wanted to hear your voice. We haven’t spoken for a few days.’

‘I told you I had to go away for a bit.’

‘Do you know when you will be back?’ she asked. ‘I miss you.’

‘I don’t know. It depends how long the job takes. Maybe next week. Maybe longer.’

‘Oh.’ He could hear her disappointment and knew she was just trying to guilt him.

Of course it worked. It always bloody did.

‘Look, I’ll see you when I’m back, okay, and we can catch up then.’

‘Do you promise?’

‘I promise.’

It was a charade they went through, both knowing she would call again in a couple of days and ask the same questions. He got it. She hated being on her own.