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‘We’ll deal with that when we get to Edinburgh,’ Nancy interrupted, brushing a strand of hair from Ari’s face. ‘One step at a time.’

Ari hesitated for a moment, chewing on her lip as if weighing the risks. But then, slowly, she nodded. ‘Alright.’

There was still so much uncertainty hanging over them. But they couldn’t fix everything tonight.

Ari slipped her hand into Nancy’s, her grip strong. ‘Let’s go,’ she whispered.

And with that, they made their way quietly out of the gates and back to the car. It felt strange to be moving so silently, but Nancy didn’t care. The only thing that mattered was getting out of this house, away from the mess they’d found themselves tangled in.

When they reached the car, Ari held the shotgun door open for Nancy.

‘You’re driving?’ Nancy asked.

‘I’m certainly not letting you drive under the circumstances. You can’t be my driver. Not now.’

Nancy laughed. ‘I see what you mean. Alright. Take it easy on the clutch, though.’

‘I promise nothing,’ Ari said.

Nancy climbed in with an eye roll, and Ari slid into the driver’s seat and started the engine, the low hum of the car filling the quiet.

But then the backdoor opened. Ari and Nancy turned, surprised, half expecting some security guard to grab them.

Instead, it was an elderly lady. Paris’s Great Aunt Margot. ‘Well, my luck is in. I got the first car!’

Nancy looked at Ari. Ari looked at Nancy. They both looked at the old lady.

‘Err…’ Nancy began.

Fifty-Four

‘Just to the village, dear. It’s not far.’

Ari stared straight ahead, unsure how to handle this. Nancy, beside her, had gone completely still.

‘Right, the village,’ Ari said finally. ‘Of course. Love a good… village.’

She glanced in the rear-view mirror. Paris’s elderly aunt, small, immaculately dressed, and possessing the air of someone who had never taken no for an answer in her entire life, smiled at her.

‘Good girl. And do step on it. I’ve got several Afghan hounds at home by themselves. They’re sweethearts, but I’ve always had this suspicion that they’re one missed meal away from eating the cat.’

Nancy made a strangled noise. ‘Ummm, Madam?’ she said in a voice of forced politeness, ‘I think you might have the wrong idea—’

‘Nonsense! Paris said there would be cars available. And this is a car, is it not?’

Ari found herself nodding. ‘You got me there.’

Nancy elbowed her. ‘You’re being kidnapped by an old woman,’ she hissed.

‘What would you like me to do? Throw her out?’

‘Yes!’

‘Rude,’ Margot said crisply. ‘Now, what kind of driverareyou, my girl? Chauffeur? Ride-share? I hope not one of those gig-economy disasters. No benefits, dreadful treatment.’

Ari opened her mouth, fully prepared to explain everything to her. But then it occurred to her it was probably quicker to comply. ‘Fine,’ she muttered, glancing at Nancy. ‘We’ll drop her off. How far’s the village?’

‘Ten minutes,’ Nancy told her.