Page 56 of The Love Letter

‘Sorry, forgot. How was the training?’

‘Tough, but it’ll pay off. What’s up?’

‘Phone Jenkins at home. He’ll tell you.’

‘Okay. See you tomorrow.’

‘Night.’

Simon dialled the number from memory.

‘Sir, it’s Warburton.’

‘Thank you for calling. Did you tell her the letter had disintegrated as planned?’

‘Yes.’

‘Did she take the news well?’

‘Surprisingly so.’

‘Good. You’re to report straight to me at nine tomorrow morning. I have a special assignment for you.’

‘Right, sir. Goodnight.’

Simon clicked off the phone and sat down on his bed, giving his tired muscles a rest. It had been a gruelling week at the agency’s base in the Scottish Highlands, running drills for counter-terrorism training. On top of that, tonight he felt he was being forced to step into murky waters, as if his personal and work lives were colliding. And at all costs, he was desperate to keep them separate.

The following morning at a quarter to eight, Simon tiptoed through the darkened sitting room to reach the shower and realised Joanna had already left. He picked up the note she had propped on the kitchen table.

Went home to get some clean clothes before work-

Thanks for having me. See you soon. x

There was nothing wrong with the note, but knowing her so well, he had the distinct feeling something was up. Last night, she’d been far too calm about the letter disappearing.

Simon would bet his life that she was still on the trail of her little old lady.

15

As filming in Norfolk continued, Zoe completely immersed herself in the character of Tess, the woman who had become an outcast in her village for having an illegitimate child. Zoe could not help but draw parallels between their lives. And only hoped she didn’t come to the same tragic end.

‘Keep it up, Zoe, and you’ll be heading for a BAFTA,’ said Mike, the director, as he drove her back to the hotel after watching the rushes. ‘You’re positively glowing for the camera. Bed early for you tonight, darling. We have a long day tomorrow.’

‘Of course. Thanks, Mike. Goodnight.’

They collected their keys from reception, and Zoe walked up the steep, creaking stairs to her room. Her mobile rang from inside her handbag as she opened her door. Fumbling amongst the mints, lipsticks and other detritus, she finally found it and closed the door behind her before answering.

‘It’s me.’

‘Hello “me”. How are you?’ she whispered with a secret smile.

‘Oh, hectic as usual. And missing you.’

Zoe sank onto the bed, cradling the phone to her ear as she drank in his voice. ‘I miss you too.’

‘Can you make it to Sandringham this weekend?’

‘I think so. Mike says he wants to do some early-morning mist shots, but I should be free by lunchtime. I’ll probably fall asleep by seven, though. I’ll have been up since four.’