“He’s on his way,” Oscar grunted, closer now.
“Good. You can let her go.”
The pressure around my arms vanished instantly, though the pain lingered and my hands were still bound. Footsteps came closer. It felt like theJawstheme in real life—my heart thudding louder with each step. My lip quivered. My eyes stung with the promise of tears.
“You’re crying,” the voice said, nearer now. “I promise you’re okay. No need for tears.”
My fear burnt into anger. “No need for tears?” I repeated through gritted teeth. “I’ve been abducted, blindfolded, handcuffed, and dragged onto a rooftop by strangers. And you think I’m not going to cry?”
The voice hummed. “I can see how that might upset you, yes.” Footsteps edged closer. “But try and hold them back, just for a second. I don’t want anything to ruin this.”
Before I could say anything, the pressure around my head loosened. The fading sunset poured into my eyes. They werecloudy at first, but the more I blinked, the clearer everything became.
Including the figure in front of me.
The figure I knew.
The figure I’d laughed with.
The second his eyes fell on me, my breath quickened, my heart pulsed, and my mind turned into a black hole of questions.
“Arthur?”
Arthur.
The man who’d become a regular at Flo’s. The one I’d given a Bakewell tart on the house the first time he came in. The same night I got the very first message from Jamie. No, not Jamie. Oscar.
God, my head was a mess.
But it was him. There was no doubt.
He smiled as my name passed his lips. “Hello, Cora.”
I glanced around. The rooftop looked bleaker without the lanterns and fairy lights. Someone I didn’t recognise stood off to my left, with Oscar a few paces behind and just to the right of Arthur, who took centre stage.
Saying his name in my head only confirmed he was here. Standing in front of me.
“You…” My head shook with deluded misbelief. “This was… you?”
His head bobbed, a little too proud of himself. “Well, mostly. But I had help.” He peered back at Oscar. “You’ve officially met now, right?”
Oscar’s smarmy smile curled. “Oh, we have.” He stared right at me. “Nice to finally put a face to a phone number.” His shoulders shrugged like all of this made him giddy.
I shook my heavy head. “Why?” My face scrunched, anger burning through my stare. “Why would you do this?”
Oscar gave an impatient shrug. “The same reason you kissed that string bean in London.” He shook his head like it was obvious. “To get back at my brother.”
My face crumpled, sadness cracking my voice. “Get back at him for what? I don’t understand.”
“We’ll explain everything,” Arthur assured me, reaching for my tear-streaked cheek.
I backed away.
He almost looked offended. “We’re not here to hurt you, Cora. In fact, I’m here to get to know you.”
My brows knitted. “Get to know me? You’re a stranger. I don’t know you. And I don't want to know you.”
“Oh, you know me.” He nodded, his eyes softening. “You just won’t remember the last time we talked.” His head tilted. “Actually, it was me talking; you were gargling and mumbling. You didn’t speak your first word until after I left.”
