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Hannah nodded her thanks and ordered some porridge before sitting at a table that glittered with candlelight and holly. She wanted to enjoy it. But she couldn’t help but think about the potential of what Mark had told her last night.

“Hey, Anne-Marie,” said a familiar voice. “Go and get yourself a break.” Lottie smiled at the older woman, before making a beeline for Hannah.

Hannah felt her blood run hot, then cold, then hot again. There was something chemical about her response to Lottie. Today, Lottie was in corduroy dungarees and a stripy jumper that made her look adorable.

Adorable.

That wasn’t the kind of word Hannah ever used. And there it was, unbidden, popping into her brain despite everything.

“Morning, Hannah,” whispered Lottie, a shy smile on her face.

Hannah gave a small smile. “Hi.” She felt her cheeks warm at the same time as her stomach rumbled.

“I could grab a cup of tea and come and join you for a minute, if you like?” Lottie asked, her voice low.

Hannah appreciated her gentle approach, but all the same she felt overwhelmed. Somewhere between that kiss and the news that had terrified her, she felt hollow and brittle.

“I don’t think I’m much good company,” she said, her voice stiff.

“Oh.” Lottie’s face fell. This woman had no poker face.

“Look, it’s not you, I promise,” said Hannah, not wanting Lottie to feel rejected. She didn’t know how she felt about Lottie, but she was aware that her vulnerability this morning was about more than just their kiss.

Lottie frowned. “Are you OK?” She moved a step forward. “I hope you don’t feel bad about last night.”

“No,” said Hannah, “honestly, it’s the last thing on my mind.” That was a lie, and as she heard the words she’d just spoken, she realised how unhelpful they were, too. She didn’t know what she wanted, but she was sure she didn’t want to project rejection. She shook her head. “No, that’s not what I meant. It’s something else.”

Lottie looked a little more at ease with that. “OK, I’m calling it. You need someone to talk to. I’m getting us some teas and I’m going to sit here for a few minutes. Just a chat, about anything you like, but you don’t look like you should be alone.”

Hannah’s eyebrows rose. No one bossed her around like this. Ever. There was something charming about it. What was happening to her? This was the kind of thing that usually annoyed the hell out of her.

Chapter Twenty-Four

LOTTIE

The porridge seemed to be returning some colour to Hannah’s cheeks, which had been remarkably pale when Lottie had first seen her this morning. This wasn’t the merry, passionate woman she’d left last night.

“Look, you don’t have to tell me anything about what’s going on,” said Lottie between sips of tea. “But please know that if you want to talk, you can talk to me.” She rested a hand lightly on Hannah’s forearm.

Hannah looked down in surprise at Lottie’s hand, but made no move to remove it. When she looked back up, her eyes were glassy and the bags underneath them betrayed a sleepless night.

“Well, given there’s no Wi-Fi, I can’t talk to anyone else about it now,” admitted Hannah.

“Has something happened?” Lottie couldn’t help pushing for more information. Seeing Hannah like this made her worried. She had started to care about this woman. It was as if that kiss had imprinted something inside her.

“Yes.” Hannah moved her arms and folded them in front of her. “There’s been a credible death threat sent to my office in London.”

“Death threat?” There was an uptick in Lottie’s heart.

“Yes. Someone has sent a threat to my office, naming me, with enough information in it to convince my colleagues, and the police, that it isn’t just a keyboard warrior, but someone who might actually mean me harm.” Hannah’s face was tight, her voice staccato.

“Shit,” said Lottie. “I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t that. God, Hannah. No wonder you’re in a state.”

“I don’t think I’m in a state,” said Hannah with a frown.

Lottie held up her hands. God, Hannah was skittish this morning. “Sorry, no, not a state. You just don’t seem yourself. God, poor you.”

Hannah nodded and her eyes filled with tears. Lottie watched as she withdrew and sat back in her chair.