She called on a Thursday afternoon.
Not Damien's phone. Mine.
I had been in the library editing the final round of changes Josephine had sent back on my manuscript when the screen lit up with her name and I sat for a moment looking at it before I answered.
Margaret Cole did not call me directly without reason.
I said: Margaret.
She said: Lena. I hope I am not interrupting something important.
I said: you are interrupting editing. Which I am happy to have interrupted.
She said: good. I have something I want to say and I prefer to say it directly rather than through Damien.
I said: then say it.
She said: I read the manuscript.
I went very still.
I said: Damien sent it to you.
She said: he did not send it. I asked for it. After Nina told me Josephine Hale was publishing it I calle
