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“Maybe.”

With one movement, Ellie pushed her away and stood up. “Beat you there.”

“Eager for more trouble, are you?” said Jem, amused.

“I’ll start without you,” warned Ellie, already walking away.

Jem took in the sight of her leaving, the curve of her backside, and registered somewhere in her head that her phone was vibrating in the bag she’d dumped on the couch.

With a sigh, she stood up, pulled her mobile out of her bag and checked the screen. Eight missed calls. Five from her father, three from Annabelle, and a message from Rolly.

She bit her lip and then dropped the phone back into her bag.

Reality could wait. But from the sound of running water it seemed that Ellie couldn’t.

Chapter Twenty Six

Ellie’s legs felt wobbly as she walked up the stairs to her flat. Wobbly in a good way though. A very good way. A way that she just wanted to keep thinking about so that she could ignore everything else.

She was rounding the last corner of the staircase when Paul came out of his front door. For a second she felt like something was wrong. She hadn’t heard footsteps through the thin walls, almost like he’d been waiting at the front door for her to come up.

But she dismissed the thought as stupid.

“Afternoon,” Paul said, smiling brightly. Then his smile dropped somewhat. “You alright? You’re looking a bit… disheveled?”

“Fine,” Ellie said, smiling brightly.

“I’m glad I’m seeing you, how did it end up with that friend of yours and her… sister-in-law was it?”

“Fine, fine,” Ellie said, reluctant to get into it. If she started talking about it now it would make everything real and honestly, she’d just come home to change her clothes and feed Constable, not to actually consider the reality of losing the Darlington contract. Not yet.

Paul leaned on the banister. “You sure you’re alright?”

“Mmm,” said Ellie, anxious to get inside.

Paul sniffed. “Bit odd that Jem, wasn’t she?”

“Odd?” Ellie said, surprised. It wasn’t the word she’d personally use to describe Jem. Tall, definitely. Attractive, certainly. Sexy and warm and very attentive in the bedroom, for sure. Not odd though.

“Yeah, odd. Just thought there was something a bit off about her is all,” Paul said. “You know, you get a sense for these things when you’re a paramedic. A sense for the reality of people, for when they’re lying and hiding things, for when something just isn’t quite right.”

“Do you?” Ellie said, starting to feel a prickle of anger.

“Or maybe it’s just me reading too much into things,” Paul said with a grin. “I can get protective over you, you know. How are those panic attacks coming along? Had any more?”

“No,” Ellie lied and then wasn’t sure why she’d lied.

“Good, glad to hear it.” Paul stood up straighter, like he was preparing to leave. “Watch out for that Jem though, eh? Just in case I’m right.”

“There’s nothing wrong with her,” Ellie blurted out.

“What?” Paul had started to come down the stairs and now he stopped. “Bit defensive that, wasn’t it?”

Ellie licked her lips. “She’s a lovely person. She’s got her faults like anyone else, but she’s actually really nice when you get to know her.”

“And have you?” Paul said, eyes narrowing. “Got to know her that is?”

“None of your business,” snapped Ellie, she made to push past him, but his arm shot out and stopped her. She paused. “Do you mind?”