They were settling down to a cosy dinner for two when Araminta’s arrival interrupted them. Dearne was surprised at just how irritated he was by her appearance. He had hoped he might have had just one more night with Will before the outside world came crashing down on them, forcing him to face reality, bursting the little bubble of happiness he and Will were sliding into.
“Here we go,” he said to Will, who put his napkin on his plate and came to stand beside him. His presence was solid and reassuring.
Will squeezed his arm.
He could hear his sister’s voice in the hallway, and he could hear Cox trying to speak to her. There seemed to be a lot of discussion and then Cox threw open the door and his sister stood in the threshold staring, gloved hand over one mouth.
“Minty?” he said softly.
