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“You need to hear it from someone else, I get it.”
Vespa rules.The memory made Alex pause.
“Lex…where’d ya go?”
“Sorry…traffic…” The light changed to green and she ran across the street. “You missed your calling. Maybe you should’ve been a comic-drawing psychologist.”
“I’m a woman of many talents.” Lucy’s voice trailed away from the speaker. “Button it, Manville!”
“When are you coming home—” Harry’s voice rose from the background. “We miss you!”
Alex smiled at a hint of sunshine breaking through the clouds. “I miss you, too, Harry, and Freddie and Si…everyone. Please tell them.”
“I’m not talking to Freddie.” Lucy took over the phone again. “The cheater is staying at his place…well, until his allergy to Moriarty’s hair makes him cough up a lung. When are you coming back?”
“A few weeks, once I feel confident enough to manage my anxiety on my own.”
“Can’t wait. It’s not the same, hanging with Naomi.”
“Lucy! Come on. She’s fun.”
“She thinks Superman and Wonder Woman are married…”
“Aww, but at least she’s trying!”
“Yeah, I find her trying. She came with me to the con this weekend, the one at Earl’s Court?”
“It was this weekend? Oh my God, how’d it go? Did you take your drawings?”
“Lex, I don’t mean to rub it in, but it was freakin’ awesome! I showed my drawings to an editor and he really liked them! He said my sketch work was ‘original and raw’, and he loved the story outline, her superpower of persuasion, all that. I think we might be onto something.”
“LUCY! That’s incredible. I knew they’d love your stuff. God, I wish I had been there.”
“He gave me pointers for improvement and invited me to send more samples, so get your writing cap on. We’ve got work to do.”
“The cap’s already on. I’ve been fussing over copy for it the past two weeks. I’ll email it to you from the community centre.”
“She’s got copy!” Lucy relayed the news to Harry.
Alex shook her head. “Just put your phone on speaker…”
“What?” Lucy’s muffled voice distorted through the phone. “Sorry. Harry reminded me that you might want to tread carefully when you’re back.”
“Why?”
“Remember those Mail photos? Tom on set with Mark? Well, apparently some old one-night stand saw the story and tracked him down. Lex, he’s been hit with a paternity suit.”
Alex stopped in her tracks. “Who? Mark—”
“No. Tom!”
Alex clutched her chest. Phew.
“I know your plan was to rent a room from Tom and Naomi when you get back but—”
“Jeez! Naomi must be freaking out!”
“She hasn’t slept with Tom since he was served.”
“It was recent, then?” asked Alex.
“Being served, yeah, not the kid. The boy’s two years old! Tom’s doing a genetics test.”
“Tom got around. That kid could be one of many!”
“Lex?” Harry’s loud and clear voice made her jump. “Greedy Lucy wanted you all to herself, but I’ve put you on speakerphone. Thanks for my birthday present.”
“Glad it got there. I hope it arrived on time.” Alex walked across the community centre’s parking lot.
“Yours always do. As lovely as it was receiving post from up north, would you please get your arse back down here? We all miss you. Hell, London misses you! When you’re ready, please come home.”
“Well, give London a hug from me and tell her I’ll be home soon.” Alex smiled and pulled open the door.
