Dean reaches out and takes my hand under the table. ‘Our paths might cross for a very short time, Lyssa,’ he says quietly. ‘I think we should make the most of every day.’

I meet Dean’s eyes and hold them with a steady gaze. ‘And every night.’

He laughs and presses my hand in his. ‘That goes without saying.’

Chapter forty-four

Chapter forty-four

Archie was asleep. At long last. Daisy was at her friend’s house and the others were still at school. Peace reigned. For another half hour at least. Edie sipped her cup of coffee and gazed at the mound of cheap mince that would soon, with the aid of a few bottles of ready-made sauce, be transformed into the Firth family’s all-time favourite Italian extravaganza, lasagne. She would be assured of clean plates tonight.

Edie checked her watch. If she was going to carry out her hare-brained plan and do this, she’d need to do it now. It was rare that she had half an hour alone and if she was going to seize the opportunity, she didn’t have a moment to waste. The coffee was making her buzzy—a heady mixture of excitement and agitation.

She chewed at her lip for a few indecisive seconds before crossing the kitchen to pick up the phone. She pulled the crumpled piece of paper out of her jeans pocket and smoothed it down on the work surface. And with a deep breath, she dialled the number.

‘Hi,’ she said when the call was answered. Her breathing was slightly uneven. ‘Can I speak to Pip Henshall, please?’

This was a mad, bad thing, she thought as she waited for the receptionist to put her through to Pip’s office.

‘Pip Henshall speaking.’

At the sound of his voice, Edie felt her courage creep away and hide under the kitchen table. ‘Hi,’ she said nervously. ‘It’s Edie. Lyssa’s sister.’

‘Oh hi,’ Pip said, sounding suitably surprised. As well he might, Edie thought. ‘Good to hear from you.’

‘I’m sorry to bother you at work.’ She forced herself on.

‘No. Not at all. It’s fine.’ Pip assured her. ‘Have you heard anything from Lyssa?’

He sounded very anxious to know. ‘No,’ Edie said. ‘No, I haven’t.’

‘I hope she’s having a great time.’

‘Me too.’ The conversation halted.

‘So,’ Pip asked, ‘what can I do for you?’

‘Well…I was wondering whether you might like to meet up for lunch sometime,’ she babbled. ‘Sometime soon. Maybe. If you’re not too busy.’

‘Lunch?’

‘I’m worried about Jake,’ she said hurriedly. ‘Jake and Lyssa. I thought…well…I thought…being his friend and all that…’

‘You want to talk about Jake and Lyssa?’

‘Well…yes.’

‘Oh,’ Pip said. ‘Oh. Okay. When do you want to meet up?’

So, it was as easy as that. ‘Soon,’ Edie said. ‘Let’s do it soon. I thought I could come into the City.’