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It wasn’t that she was unsure. Not now that she’d decided. It was more that she wanted to get things started, was anxious to begin this whole new section of her life.

And maybe she was a little nervous. Who knew whether this whole plan was going to work out or not? Which was why she’d decided not to say anything to Pen. Pen was the eternal optimist, she’d be sure everything would work out, and Ash couldn’t stand to disappoint her.

Pen had been so disappointed when Ash hadn’t inherited the bookshop, even though Ash had known from the start that she hadn’t belonged, that something had been off about the whole thing. Now though, she had a chance to set things right and that was what she was going to do.

Her phone buzzed.

Thinking of you.

She grinned to herself. Every message from Pen filled her with a warmth that had started out unfamiliar but that she was very much growing to like.

Always thinking of you, she typed back.

Doing anything interesting?

Ash looked around at the white-walled office.Not really.

Want to do something interesting?

Ash felt herself color.Surely you’re not suggesting what I think you’re suggesting?

There was a brief pause.Well, I was thinking of a video call. But I’m more than willing to indulge in whatever it was you were thinking, Pen wrote back with a laughing emoji.

“He’s ready for you,” the receptionist called to Ash.

Ash bit her lip.Hold that thought for later,she wrote.Got a work thing.

She didn’t want to lie, but she couldn’t tell the truth yet.

Hoping that she looked a lot more confident than she felt, she got up and walked into the office. A familiar face greeted her, looking over his glasses.

“I have to say, Ms. Wells, I didn’t expect to see you back here again so soon,” Snythe said.

Ash took a seat. “Well, you did say to come back to you with any legal problems I had.”

He sighed and took off his glasses. “I do hope you haven’t been arrested, Ms. Wells, I’m afraid I’m not really that kind of solicitor.”

“Why would you think…” Ash took a breath. “Never mind. You are the kind of solicitor that can help with property though, aren’t you?”

Snythe nodded and Ash began to outline exactly what she wanted.

When she was done, he leaned back in his chair. “This is a little unorthodox,” he said. “I can’t represent two people on opposite sides of the same contract.”

“I’m not asking you to represent me,” Ash said. “I’m asking you to present the option to your client, that’s all.” She stared him down. “I think you owe me after everything, don’t you?”

Snythe took a deep breath, the nodded. “Very well, I’ll do what you ask,” he said, putting his glasses back on again.

Chapter Thirty Three

Pen shifted to one side and tilted her head. “It’s very nice,” she said. “But… what is it?”

“A painting,” said George. “Obviously.”

“You’re looking at it the wrong way up,” said Lucy, turning the canvas on the table.

Pen grinned. “It’s the ocean.”

“It’s… actually, it’s really beautiful, Luce,” George said in surprise.