Page 153 of Dream On, Liar

“I know.”

She looked at me.

I smiled.

She rolled her eyes. “Still annoying.”

“Get some rest.”

I waited until she climbed beneath the duvet.

I lingered at the door. “Maeve.”

Her eyes turned to me.

“If you feel worse, you tell me.”

“I will.”

“If you change your mind about the hospital—”

“I’ll tell you.”

“Promise?”

She gave me a tired smile.

“Promise.”

I closed the door.

Quietly.

Then I walked back into the open space. The cabin felt completely different when she wasn’t in the room. Too large. Too quiet.

I stood in the middle of the sitting room and stared out at the forest.

The trees had disappeared into darkness.

Rain had started again, soft against the enormous windows.

I pulled out my phone.

There was one person I needed to call.

Dev answered before the third ring. “You got to the cabin safely?”

“I did. Thank you, and thank you for keeping it safe for me.”

“That’s what Ma wanted.”

I nodded, not ready to deal with her just yet. Rubbing a hand over my face, I spoke slowly. “I need a favour.”

A pause.

“What kind?”

“I need you to find someone.”