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Because that way lay ret That way led to revelations she wasn’t ready to face That way led to eh a price to pay Maybe stability hat mattered

‘Where have you been?’ Daisy started as she heard the slightly irritable voice She bit back a near hysterical giggle Think of the devil and he will come

‘I’ve been looking everywhere Yourand that you look tired’ His gaze was intent, as if he were searching out every shadow in her face In her soul

‘I just couldn’t face any more in-depth discussions about whether as Violet’s best friend Will should count as her date, or if Vi and Rose should have the same hairstyle so I came out for soot, the more she wanted to run Funny to think that once she had planned for this, thought all these tiny details mattered

Now she just wanted it over and done with

‘Soe of the estate I couldn’t believe it when Paul said he’d seen you walk this way’

‘I like it down here It’s peaceful’ The river wound around the bottom of the wooded valley, Hawksley invisible on the other side of the hill Here she was alone, away from the fears and the worries and the nerves

‘It used to be one ofspot just around that bend’

‘Shh! Look!’ Daisy grabbed his arm and pointed ‘There’s another one Do you think they’re mates? Do otters live in pairs?’ She dropped his ar over and over

‘Not European otters’ Seb spoke in a low even tone as they watched the pair duck and dive, their sinewy bodies weaving round each other in an underwater dance ‘They’re very territorial so I think wepair—in two months’ time there could be cubs They actually mate underwater’

‘It looks like she’s trying to get away’

‘The dog otters often have to chase the ferees’