‘No way, that’s a fantastic cottage! Needs a bit of work but it’s in a great location and that view of the mountain is superb. He never mentioned he was thinking of staying here permanently. That is brilliant.’
‘It is…’ Libby paused. ‘Do you know when you get a good feeling about someone but the timing isn’t quite right?’
‘I do. I really feel for you as it’s not an easy situation you’re in. Julia is my life and if she were to move to the other side of the world then I’d follow her. But then, I don’t have a daughter with someone else and all the responsibilities that come with that.’
‘You can’t even coordinate your diaries to get married,’ Libby said with a laugh.
‘I can and I will. I’m making it my priority. Having you here has given me food for thought. Work and making money used to be the most important things in the world to me, but when you find your special person, that all changes. We’ve not been able to coordinate our diaries because of workloads but we should have been putting us first. So that’s what I’m going to be doing.’
‘You two are just adorable together. Do you think you’ll wait long to start a family after marriage?’ asked Libby. Knowing her brother would be conscious of not wanting to hurt her feelings, she added, ‘I hope not. I can’t wait to be an auntie.’
‘You’ll make the best auntie. How do you feel about Guy having a child?’
Libby had already thought about this and didn’t hesitate. ‘I think they come as a beautiful package, but he’s mentioned he wants more children and that’s not something I can give him. Is it a non-starter before it’s even got going?’
Flynn instantly began to shake his head. ‘I think you have to take every step as it comes. I love Julia and it would be wonderful if we had children but if it doesn’t happen or can’t happen, Julia will always be enough for me. You get through it. Together. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. It’s still early days for you and Guy. Enjoy the moments as they happen and let it develop naturally.’
Libby knew that Flynn was right … but every day that passed was a day closer to getting on that plane and potentially leaving Guy and Holly behind.
‘I’ll do my best,’ she replied.
‘Good,’ he said, navigating into a side road and pulling the car to a stop. ‘We’re here.’
He looked at the row of terraced houses before them. The pavement was littered with bin bags and beer cans. ‘Are you sure Jenny lives here?’ Libby asked, looking up and down the street.
Flynn nodded and pointed. ‘It’s that red door there. I think this house has been turned into flats.’ There was an intercom at the side of the door with the flat numbers.
‘If we press that she’ll know it’s us and may not let us in to talk.’
‘What do you suggest then?’ Flynn asked. ‘How are we going to get in?’
‘I think we just got lucky.’ Libby gave Flynn an encouraging look and nodded towards a young woman pushing a pram, battling to open the door from the inside. Libby was quick on her feet. ‘Let me help you,’ she said, holding the door open for the woman, who thanked her before carrying on up the pavement.
Flynn and Libby sneaked inside and the door shut behind them. There were two flats on the ground floor and more upstairs. The entryway was dark with no natural light flooding into the tiny space. They could hear a TV blaring from somewhere and heavy metal thumping from the flat to their left.
‘Did you know she lived in a place like this?’ asked Libby, thankful that Flynn was with her.
He shook his head as they turned to the door on the right. ‘It’s this one.’
Libby put her ear to the door and narrowed her eyes. She concentrated for a moment and whispered. ‘I’m sure I can hear someone in there.’
Flynn knocked but there was only deadly silence.
‘What do we do now?’ Libby mouthed.
Flynn shrugged then gestured for Libby to stay where she was. He opened the front door and immediately shut it again with a bang. A couple of seconds later they heard the slide of a chain and a key turning slowly in a lock. A frightened-looking Jenny peeped around the edge of the door.
‘It’s okay. It’s me, Flynn, your old boss, and this is my sister, Libby. We’ve just come to come to check if you’re okay.’ Flynn’s voice was warm.
‘I don’t want to speak to anyone,’ she said, about to close the door.
‘No, please wait,’ said Libby. ‘We just want to make sure everything is okay because we know how much you loved your job and yet you suddenly resigned.’
Jenny gaze strayed to the ground. She was tearful and her hand trembled a little as she held on to the chain.
‘Can we help in any way?’ Libby kept her voice soft.
‘I can’t talk to you.’ She looked towards the main entrance.
