Page 89 of Secret Paths

“I may have filed that under things you were threatening rather than arranging.”

There is a pause.

Then Alexandra says, “Are you letting us in?”

Mandy looks at me properly now.

At my creased shirt. My bare feet. The very obvious fact that I am in her bedroom, nowhere near my boots, my jacket or any acceptable explanation.

“Give me one minute,” she says.

She ends the call.

For one second, neither of us moves.

Then she shoves me.

“Ow.”

“Move.”

“I am moving.”

“You are not moving fast enough.”

“I still have a dead arm.”

“You are about to have a dead everything if she finds you.”

That gets me upright.

Mandy throws the duvet towards the end of the bed as if it has offended her personally. “Stay here.”

“That is the entire plan?”

“Yes.”

“What about my boots?”

“Where are they?”

“Kitchen.”

“Jacket?”

“Also kitchen, I think.”

“Peter.”

“I did not anticipate a morning inspection.”

“It is half past nine.”

“Still aggressive.”

She points at the bedroom door. “Do not come downstairs.”

“I had not planned to stroll into brunch.”