I fidget in my seat. Is that what I want? A new place to live? A new start? But I’d be running away. Again. I’ve moved around so much there’s never been enough time to put down roots. But now I have Heather and Margot and Flora, as well as Rory. I don’t need to be afraid that I’ll lose the people I love, or that I don’t deserve to be happy. Margot’s strength all these years has inspired me. She didn’t run away when Flora disappeared or when everyone thought Heather had killed the Wilsons.

‘Don’t get me wrong,’ Jack says, wiping some chutney off his chin with the paper napkin, ‘I’d love to work with you in Brighton. But your job. Ted. Rory. You’re living virtually rent-free here, and Brighton is expensive.’

‘Actually,’ I say, taking his hand in mine, ‘I’ll miss you tons but I want to stay in Bristol. Make things work with Rory.’

He places his hand on top of mine. ‘You’re a big softie at heart, aren’t you?’

‘Don’t underestimate me. You always said I was as hard as nails, remember?’

He takes his hand away and resumes eating. ‘I never for a moment thought that was true. I could see right through you, Jessica Fox,’ he says, his mouth full of bread.

‘Well,’ I sit back in my chair, ‘I’ll tell you this for nothing, Jack Renton. You might not want to report your nasty ex for beating you up, but I’ll be watching him. And if he takes one step out of line I’ll be on to him. I can promise you that.’

Chapter 53

53

Jess