Perspiration pooled in Liv’s collarbone at what covering up Essie’s death might entail. She hadn’t expected all this and she shifted in her seat. ‘Youpretendedto be her?’
Matilda tapped her nose. ‘Somebig authors use ghostwriters, you know?’
Liv smiled knowingly to herself. Essie said she never asked for help with Georgia, and she felt a trickle of pride that the author had chosenher. Picking up her bag, she put it on her knee. ‘Did Essie tell you anything about her latest book?’
‘A little. I know she was struggling with it. It’s her twentieth one, a totally big deal for her publisher. She missed her deadline several times and Peregrine were totally miffed. I think they gave her extra time to finish it.’
‘When is it due?’
Matilda thought for a while. ‘I think Essie mentioned the first of November. She wanted to finish it by then.’
When Liv tugged the manuscript out of her bag, the pages looked even more battered. ‘I found this copy. Do you know if there’s another version anywhere? The last eight chapters are missing.’
Matilda scoffed. ‘I’m surprised she’s even got that far with it. Does she know you’ve got that? She guards her work like Cerberus.’
‘Perhaps she typed it up?’
‘Please.’ Matilda batted a hand. ‘I did all that stuff, inputting hours of handwritten Georgia Rory for her last book, before Essie edited it all. I didn’t do anything on her latest one.’
Liv didn’t speak. Her stomach lurched when she realized she was holding the latest, unfinished and only version of the manuscript.She carefully put it back in her bag, its existence to her more precious than ever.
‘Why’s she askedyouto do her work anyway?’ Matilda narrowed her eyes. ‘You’re a cleaner, not a PA.’
Liv bristled. The faith Essie had shown in leaving her a last wish made her feel unusually defiant. ‘I’m sure I’m more than capable,’ she said.
‘So, you’re experienced in communicationandorganizationanddiary keepingandadministration?’
Liv straightened her back. ‘I’m a mum to two teenage sons, so I’m an expert in all those things, and more.’
‘Well, just be careful.’ Matilda sniffed. ‘When Essie’s nice to you it’s like being on the sunny side of the street. Then you turn the corner and an icy wind smacks you in the face.’
Liv had heard enough and finished her smoothie. She wanted to get back to the peace and solitude of the flat and think what to do next.
Matilda glanced at Liv. ‘Medusahad the world at her feet and messed it up. Sure, readers still love her books, but somewhere things went very wrong for her.’
But why?Liv thought, agreeing with Matilda for the first time today. She felt something akin to frost creeping across her skin. Just what had happened to Essie ten years ago?
‘Take a look at her last interview, for the Book Ahead blog, and see what you’re dealing with,’ Matilda said. ‘So bitter.’
‘I thought she refused to do them.’
‘Book Ahead are big influencers and her publisher insisted on it. Essie made sure they don’t make the same mistake twice.’ Matilda took a pink lipstick from her purse and wound it up. ‘Right, gotta go. I’ve got a Zoom to prep for.’
Liv didn’t bother much with social media. She had no interest in uploading photos of her morning muesli, or her bare ankles on a sun lounger. She used a dictionary more often than she googled, but now she wondered what other information was out there. It might give her a clue why Essie vanished ten years ago. ‘Thanks for meeting me,’ she said and stood up.
‘Good luck, you’ll need it. And don’t forget my reference.’
Liv carried their empty glasses back to the juice bar counter.
The man serving raised his eyebrow. ‘You’re the first person to do that,’ he said. ‘I usually have to collect them myself.’
Liv could well imagine. She might not share Matilda’s experience, but surely being polite, hardworking and resourceful were a good start. She headed back towards the spiral staircase.
‘Take the slide, it’s quicker,’ the man called after her.
When she reached the turquoise plastic, Liv lugged her bag across her body and sat down with her legs outstretched. After pushing off, she laughed as she whooshed down and jumped off the end.
Matilda stared down from above and shook her head.
