Aiden glanced in her direction.
‘I saw them.’
‘Who?’
‘Wilson and Pippa.’
‘Saw them when?’
‘Last night – Valentine’s Day. I was driving past and saw him leave your house. It was him who sent her the flowers, wasn’t it?’
Elle nodded. ‘But it’s not quite what you think.’
‘Why’s that then?’
Elle was in a difficult situation. On the one hand, she was loyal to Pippa, but on the other, Aiden was standing in front of her hoping she was going to tell him what he wanted to hear.
Elle hesitated. ‘They aren’t going out together…’ she confided.
‘I’ve put you on the spot, haven’t I?’
‘A little,’ she admitted. ‘Pippa isn’t going out with Wilson. They’re just friends – good friends. How’s Louisa?’ she asked, changing the subject as she noticed Pippa walking towards them.
‘She’s started her new job now, which seems to have perked her up a little. She’s socialising a little more and hopefully getting her life back on track.’
‘That’s good to hear then.’
‘What are you two talking about?’ Pippa asked as she approached the desk.
Aiden and Elle exchanged a glance before he replied. ‘My microwave meal for one last night,’ he said, smiling as he leaned across the desk to answer the phone.
‘Hello, you’ve reached the Library on Love Heart Lane; this is Aiden speaking, how may I help you?’
There was silence for a moment while the person on the other end spoke.
‘Who’s calling please?’ Aiden asked, looking towards Elle. He put his hand across the receiver and whispered. ‘It’s the Salvation Army for you.’
Feeling her pulse race, Elle looked at Pippa, who stared back at her in shock. Neither of them spoke, but they held one another’s gaze as Pippa perched close by on the edge of the desk and Elle took the phone from Aiden.
‘Hello,’ Elle said, her voice shaking. All she could think was – had they traced her mother?
‘Hello, is that Elle Cooper?’
‘Yes, speaking.’
‘This is Ann Blears. I’m ringing from the Salvation Army. Are you okay to talk right now?’
‘I am.’
‘I’ve phoned your mobile and left you a message, but I thought I’d try this number too.’
Elle quickly took her phone from her pocket. It was switched to silent and there was a missed call and a voicemail from a number she didn’t recognise.
‘Can I just confirm some personal details with you?’
Ann took Elle through a serious of security checks and as the seconds ticked by Elle’s thoughts ran wild. She started shaking.
‘Elle, we have some news for you.’
