‘Yes, third door.’ Ros pointed but Gina was already on her way.

As soon as she heard the bathroom door lock click, Ros turned her full attention to Cameron. ‘And do you feel the same?’

Cameron leaned closer. ‘Gina is the reason I’m here.’ He kept his voice low.

‘Sorry, I don’t follow.’

‘Her dad is high up in some consulting agency and he made a few remarks when Gina graduated. He’s always been a bit scary and protective like most dads are, but these comments were pointed and about me not amounting to much and sponging off Gina. And that’s when I realised I needed to better myself. I was working my socks off but in jobs that were going nowhere. It was Gina and her dad that made me want to get a degree and focus on a career.’

‘So that you were worthy of Gina and her achievements.’

‘Exactly,’ said Cameron. ‘But—’ There was the flush of the toilet and Cameron shot over to the chair opposite, leaving Ros with a lot to think about.

***

Darla found she was going over what Elliott had said. She couldn’t imagine how hard it must have been for him to lose both his parents so quickly. She loved her mum and dad and didn’t doubt Elliott had felt the same about his. The worrying thought that one day she would lose them both tugged at her heart. Being away from them had been hard but she hadn’t missed them as much as she did in that moment. She pulled out her phone and called her mum.

‘Hello, Darla, my lovely. How are you? Any more escaping chickens? That did make your dad and me laugh.’ It was comforting to hear her mother’s voice.

‘No, Mum, they’re back where they should be.’ It made her think. Was she where she was meant to be?

‘You must have a sixth sense. Your dad was just this minute saying how amazed he is that his little girl has turned into this big adventurer.’

Darla snorted a derisory laugh. ‘I’m hardly that.’

‘But you are to us. We are so proud of the experiences you’re having and the confidence you’re building. There’s nothing you can’t do if you put your mind to it,’ said her mum.

‘She’ll be the CEO of Tesco when she gets back,’ chipped in her father and it made Darla smile.

‘I doubt it,’ she said.

‘That’s what I said,’ said her mum. ‘I’d said you wouldn’t be working for someone else after all this. You’ll probably be setting up your own business, become your own boss. Aren’t I right?’

Darla hadn’t considered anything past clearing her debts but now she definitely needed to think a little further into the future.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Ros couldn’t say she hadn’t enjoyed the evening with Cameron and Gina because that wouldn’t have been true. They were perfectly good company, they included her in the conversation and the few nibbles of food she had were delicious, but she couldn’t help feeling that she’d lost something. Something she had been so close to working out and now it had been pulled from her grasp. Cameron and Gina were easy in each other’s company; there was an obvious connection.

It was nine o’clock when Gina clapped her hands together. ‘Right,’ she said. ‘I need to make like a banana.’

‘And split,’ said Cameron, finishing her sentence. ‘Do you have to?’ He gave her those puppy dog eyes of his and pouted his full lips.

‘I sure do. Some of us have to get a train to London so they are ready for big important corporate shizzle first thing tomorrow.’ Gina stood up and engulfed Ros in a tight hug, which caught her off guard. ‘Aww, Ros, it’s been so nice to meet you and to know my Cam is being looked after. Hope to see you again.’

‘Err yes. You too,’ said Ros.

‘Bye you,’ said Cameron, wrapping Gina in a hug, and Ros took that as her cue to move the last of the takeaway cartons into the kitchen and busy herself with tidying up. She could hear kissing noises behind her so to drown them out she turned on the tap full pelt, which splashed water all over her. She was wiping herself down when Gina called, ‘Bye, Ros. Thanks for a lovely evening.’

‘My pleasure,’ said Ros, looking away as she really didn’t want to see them kissing.

‘Call me,’ said Cameron.

‘You’re so needy,’ said Gina with laughter in her voice. There was one last kissing sound, followed by the door closing and Ros’s shoulders slumped in despondency.

‘Isn’t she the best?’ said Cameron, joining Ros in the kitchen area and sounding quite giddy.

‘Indeed. She is a very nice person.’ It pained Ros but she really couldn’t find fault with the woman.

‘I’m glad you two got on. After you’d flashed your . . . well lots of you at her.’ Cameron chuckled.

‘Heavens, don’t remind me,’ said Ros, feeling her cheeks burn at the memory. ‘What Gina must have thought I don’t know.’

‘She blamed me for not checking if you were home.’

‘I blame you too,’ said Ros with a smile. Whatever this was, she still liked Cameron and while she now knew there couldn’t be any romantic involvement she would be happy to settle for whatever it was that they had.

‘Hey, you were the one who—’ He was interrupted by the intercom. ‘What’s she forgotten?’ he said, scanning the room. He hit the answer button. ‘Hallo?’

‘Ah, Cameron, can I come up please?’ asked Barry.

At the sound of Barry’s voice, Ros and Cameron exchanged wide eyes at each other. ‘Sure,’ said Cameron, hitting the entry button.

‘OhMyGoodness. They must have passed each other on the stairs,’ said Ros. ‘What if Gina had still been here?’

‘Stay cool, Ros. It’s all fine,’ said Cameron, making calming motions with his hands. That was all very well for him to say but it felt like a close call to Ros.

There was a knock on the door. Cameron looked at Ros. ‘You okay?’

She took a deep breath. ‘Let him in.’

Cameron opened the door. ‘Hi, Barry. This is a nice surprise. And Gazza, me old mucker.’ The dog greeted Cameron with his usual display of pawing, jumping up and enthusiastic licking.

‘Is everything all right?’ asked Ros, coming over to greet her father with a kiss on the cheek and a brief pat for the dog.

His expression was grave. ‘I’m all right. I’ve been worried about you.’

‘I’m fine,’ said Ros, feeling her shoulders tense up again. Perhaps she needed to see someone about that.

‘Can I let him off the lead?’ asked Barry. Gazza looked over at her with big innocent eyes.

Ros eyed her curtains. Darla’s instructions of soaking them overnight in a mix of white vinegar and cold water before sprinkling with baking soda and washing on a hot cycle had worked but the curtains didn’t quite look as perfect as they once had. ‘It’s probably best not to.’

Barry and Gazza looked disappointed. ‘Okay. But you’re sure you’re all right?’

‘Why wouldn’t Ros be okay?’ asked Cameron, taking Barry’s coat.

‘Didn’t she say?’ asked Barry, fixing his gaze on Ros.