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‘You really do love her, don’t you?’

‘Them,’ Jake corrected. ‘I love them.’ He took a deep breath. ‘I think Evelyn might be the one.’

‘Wow, mate. I’m really happy for you. Now all you’ve got to do is pull off this crazy scheme.’

‘It is crazy, isn’t it?’

‘Yup. But my best ideas usually are.’ Nick grinned. ‘And what we need to achieve here, and the time frame you have, it might just be crazy enough.’

‘You really think so?’

‘Mate, I know so.’

They both jumped at the sound of the buzzer.

Jake took a deep breath before answering it. ‘Hello?’ His voice came out slightly hoarse with nerves, and he hoped the intercom system hid it.

‘It’s Evelyn.’ Her voice sounded like music to his ears. ‘I thought I had an appointment with Tilly.’

‘I’m in my flat. Come right up.’ He closed the line before she had a chance to complain, then glanced at Nick. ‘Kitchen for you.’

‘I dunno,’ he teased. ‘You ring me up, drag me over here, dump a huge, urgent project in my lap, call in a bro-favour, use up my annual leave and now you want to shove me in the kitchen?’

‘Just while I explain things.’ He gave his best mate a shove. ‘Please?’

‘All right, all right. But only ’cause you’re an honorary bro. I’ll put the kettle on or something. But I warn you, anything tasty looking might get eaten.’

‘Whatever. Help yourself. Just go.’ He closed the door behind Nick as Evelyn’s soft knock sounded at the door. He smoothed his shirt down and his hair back, and opened the door. ‘Hi.’

‘Thanks for this.’ Evelyn gave him a tight smile, her mind clearly elsewhere. And Jake knew exactly where that was, and who it was with.

‘Never a problem. Take a seat.’ He had to fight the temptation to pull her into his arms.

‘I’m not staying, Jake.’ The sadness in her eyes filled him with grief, and he had to remind himself why she was here. Even though she didn’t know yet. ‘I just want to get Tilly sorted.’

‘Oh, she’s fine.’ Jake shrugged.

‘Mum said she’s been gnawing at her tail and dragging herself along the carpets. She thinks she has worms.’

‘She doesn’t,’ Jake replied.

‘And you know that without even looking at her?’ Evelyn snapped. ‘Sorry, I …’

‘It’s fine. Please sit down Evelyn. Just for a minute. I need to explain something.’

‘Jake, there’s nothing to explain.’

‘Yes there is. Now will you please bloody well sit down and let me talk?’ He bit his tongue, his nerves getting the better of him. Shocked, Evelyn sat down on the sofa. ‘I’m sorry, but I know Tilly’s fine because she’s just the excuse for getting you here. Your mum thought it would work. She was right.’

‘You’re conspiring against me with my mother?’ Evelyn’s eyes flashed dangerously.

‘Yes. But it’s for a good cause.’

‘Oh really?’

‘It’s for Summer.’ Jake sat beside her and handed her the papers from the coffee table. ‘Please don’t be mad at me. Or actually, do. I’d rather you were angry with me than your mother. She let me see Summer’s notes, but only because I begged and thought I could help somehow, and I know I shouldn’t have made my dad talk to me about Summer without your permission, but I didn’t want to get your hopes up if there was nothing here because that wouldn’t have been fair to you or Summer and—

‘Is there?’ Evelyn interrupted his nervous waffle. ‘Is there something here?’ The hope in her voice was almost painful to hear.