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“Hi.”

“I’ve heard a great deal about you. I’m sorry to hear about your family. I hope Dyl here is taking good care of you.”

“He is,” I mumbled, still reeling from the events of the past half hour.

“Well, do you fancy a quick pint?” Dave said to Dylan.

Dylan glanced anxiously at me. “I don’t think—”

“Don’t give me any of your bullshit, man. Yesterday, you scarpered before the end of the match, which we won by the way. I can tell you need to get out.”

Dylan wavered, torn, I think.

“I’ll be fine,” I said and smiled as warmly as I could manage.

“Come on, Dyl. Define yourself,” Dave cajoled with a glint in his eye, and Dylan glanced down at his wrists.

“You should go,” I said, nodding with encouragement.

Dylan’s eyes narrowed.

“I’ll be fine,” I repeated with more force.

Dylan regarded me for a moment, and his face transformed with his reluctant smile. “You sure?” he asked.

I nodded.

“Let me grab my wallet and keys,” he said and disappeared into his study.

“How are you finding London?” Dave asked me.

“Different.”

“I bet.”

“It’s more crowded. But to be honest, I’ve not been out much.”

“I understand.”

Dylan emerged, carrying a jacket. “You sure you’ll be okay?”

“Yes.”

Melina the cleaner distracted us all carrying the vacuum into the kitchen. Dylan fished some money out of his wallet and deposited it on the kitchen table.

“For Melina,” he said. He checked his watch. “She’ll be ironing for at least forty minutes so you won’t be on your own. Make yourself some lunch. I won’t be long.”

“Okay.” I gave him a fake smile.

Dave looked from him to me and the atmosphere between all of us could not have been more awkward. “Ready?” he asked Dylan.

Dylan gave me yet another anxiety-laden look, then nodded. “Yeah, let’s go.”

We left the kitchen, and I started up the stairs wondering where Tristan had gone.

“Pretty girl,” I heard Dave say as the front door closed behind them.

I breathed a sigh of relief. Suddenly, I was exhausted. The events of this morning, last night, and the fact I’d had little sleep had finally caught up with me. Deciding a nap was more appealing than lunch, I went upstairs and hoped I’d find Tristan in my bedroom. To my regret he was not. Without bothering to undress, I crawled into bed.