Page 144 of The Grand Duel

And so, no matter how badly I want, and probably need, him to explain, I can’t think of anything worse.

I’m not sure I’d even believe him.

TWENTY-SEVEN

Lissie

Iget to the office at nine thirty on Monday morning, knowing it will leave Charles enough time to grab the things he needs before leaving for his day in court. It’s probably childish of me to avoid him, but with the lack of sleep I’ve had over the past three nights, and the way my mind is still playing the last few weeks over and over like a movie, I don’t think it makes me a bad person to need the space.

Charles has texted and called me every day, but it’s all gone unread and ignored.

I put my phone on Do Not Disturb on Friday night when Jovie texted telling me she was out with friends, and I haven’t turned it back on since.

I’ll read his messages. Just not yet.

When I left this office on Friday, it was with the intention I’d never be back. My contract allowed it. Charles couldn’t stop me. However, I know I can’t walk out on Ed. No matter how impossible the thought of working alongside Charles feels now, I know that I’m acting impulsively because I’m upset. And withwhat Edna has done for me, handed over to me with nothing but trust, I know I need to honour a notice period at the very least.

I’ll give them four weeks to find someone else and ask to work from HQ or home when possible.

One, the pay will help towards allowing Jovie and Willow to eventually live a better life. And two, it keeps me busy. I’m out of the house from eight in the morning until early evenings on the days I don’t work at The Nightingale, and on the days that I do, I’m barely home at all.

I’ve never had less time to think, and I’ve never been happier—until last Friday happened.

And if this past weekend doesn’t prove that I need my work, I don’t know what does.

“Lissie,” Ed calls, sounding panicked.

I push away from my desk and quickly rush to my door to find her. When I do, I see Luna between her legs, paw held in her hand and dripping blood.

“What happened?” I ask, dropping to my knees to see better.

“I have no idea.”

I spread the paw and see a tear on her pad. “Baby, what have you done?”

“I’ll call the vet. See if they can come out. Have you got her?”

I nod and take her collar. “Where’s the closest vet?”

“Charles uses a specific one. I’ll find the number.”

I lift Luna into my arms, hugging her to my chest as I wrap her paw in my cardigan. “Did you try jumping the gate again?” I kiss her head, my heart melting when she hides her face in my neck.

I walk to Charles’s office where Edna is on the phone. “They’re not answering.”

“I’ll phone Scott and get him to take me. Do you have the address there?” I ask.

Edna taps away on the computer. “Ah, yes, hello. My name is Edna. I work for Charles Aldridge…” I wait as Edna speaks to whoever has answered her call. “Yes, it’s Luna. She’s cut her paw. Are you able to take a look? It’s bleeding a lot.” She looks up at me. “Does the bleeding stop when you are applying pressure?”

I pull my cardigan away and find it still bleeding heavily.

I shake my head.

“No, it looks nasty,” Edna says. “I know that Mr Aldridge would want it looked at…okay. That’s not a problem, I can get her to you.” She straightens. “Thank you, Pippa.” She drops the phone. “We can take her in. Do you want me to drive her?”

My arms tighten around the puppy. “No, I can go. Someone needs to keep hold of her paw. Could you call Scott for me?”

I go to my office and collect my bag. Luna doesn’t move in my arms, her snout tucked in under my hair.