“You two off for a quickie, are you?” Sam said, and there was a burst of raucous laughter from the lads standing around them.
Nova grabbed her coat, and they headed outside. It was a clear evening, bitterly cold, and the sky was alive with stars. Behind them, she could hear the waves crashing against the harbor wall.
“What is it?” Craig asked. “Are you okay?”
“No, not really.” Nova cleared her throat. “I’ve been suspended from work, and I think they’re going to fire me.”
“What? Those bastards!” Craig exploded. “They can’t sack you for leaving the office unlocked, there’s no proof you even—”
“It wasn’t just that,” Nova interrupted. “I did something else.”
“What?” Craig was staring at her, his hazel eyes intense on her face.
“You know the Michael guy I told you about, the one who disappeared from the book club and went missing?”
“The murder suspect?”
“Yeah, him. Well, I went to his house with a few members of the book club—”
“You didwhat?”
“And then we ended up speaking to his wife about Michael, and she’s reported me to Sandy for harassment.”
“Bloody hell!” Craig swore, his cheeks flushing red. “Why would you go to the house of a suspected murderer?”
“I didn’t know he was a suspect at the time, and I thought we could help get the money back for the community center. Plus, I had Phyllis, Arthur and Craddock with me.”
“Two pensioners and a decrepit dog? Nova, anything could have happened to you.”
“I wasn’t in danger, I promise,” she said, but Craig was pacing back and forth, not listening.
“After everything that happened with Declan, you promised me you’d be more careful and not take any risks at work, and yet here we are again. I just don’t understand, Nova; it’s like youwantto create drama.”
“I wasn’t trying to create drama,” Nova said, hearing an unfamiliar hardness in her voice.
“Really? Because it’s less than seventy-two hours until our wedding and you’ve just been suspended from your job for, what, spying? That feels like drama to me.”
There was a long moment of silence, as chilly as the October night air.
“Look, I’m sorry about the suspension,” Nova said, trying to keep her voice calm. “But I won’t apologize for trying to help the community center. My parents always taught me to fight for what matters.”
Craig let out a long sigh, and Nova saw the anger deflate with his shoulders. “I just don’t want anything else bad to happen to you. After everything in London, when you nearly…” He stopped, his voice catching with emotion. “I love you so much, Nova, and I just want to keep you safe.”
“Iamsafe here. This wasn’t like last time, I promise,” she said, as Craig opened his arms and pulled her into a hug.
She pressed her head against his chest, feeling his arms wrapped tightly around her. It was the most wonderful sensation, like she was insulated against the problems of the world.
“I’m sorry you’re having to go through all of this at work, but please just try and avoid any more drama between now and Saturday, okay? I really want to get you down the aisle in one piece.” Craig gave a soft laugh and then released her from the hug. “Come on, let’s get back inside.”
He moved toward the door, but Nova stayed where she was.
“Do you mind if I slip off home? I’ve got a pounding headache, and I have to meet with Sandy first thing tomorrow.”
Craig looked back to her. “Really? I know my mum can be a lot sometimes, but she’s gone to a load of trouble arranging tonight for you.”
“I know she has, but I’d made it very clear I didn’t want a hen do.”
She could tell Craig wanted to say something else, but he just shrugged. “Fine, whatever you want. Text me when you get home, okay?”
