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‘OK.’

He swiped the irritating intrusion and headed away from the crowd. ‘Dr Macpearson speaking. How can I help? Sorry, I’m struggling to hear you. Can you speak up please? I’m just trying to get to somewhere a bit quieter.’

Liv held her hand out to Sarah. ‘What do you say we go find those ice creams?’

‘OK.’ Sarah’s fingers wrapped around hers, and Liv found herself once again hit by a wave of love for the little girl.

‘Try not to worry. Most calls aren’t emergencies, or anything bad.’

‘But everyone is here and knows not to call.’

‘Maybe it’s about today.’ Liv did her best to reassure Sarah. ‘Maybe it’s another journalist or something else good that could help?’

‘Maybe.’

* * *

Callum stared down at the now blank screen, reeling in disbelief. He’d been polite, and professional, and answered every question as he should have: fairly, honestly, and with a level of professional detachment that he really didn’t feel. But what the actual hell? How could she do this to him?

He turned back towards the fete, to where he could see Liv laughing with Sarah and a torrent of pain slammed into him. He couldn’t believe he’d been so stupid as to let her into his life — into his home and Sarah’s life — and fallen for her pretty lies.

Again, he’d let a woman take him for a ride. That, in itself, was unforgivably stupid — but to let his precious daughter get sucked into the web of betrayal. It made him feel sick to think that he’d actually believed her act. And the worst thing was, she’d warned him from the start that she hadn’t wanted anything serious. That it was just sex.

But why the fuck had she treated Sarah like this?

A dark cloud of misery and suspicion rolled over him, blocking out all the hope and joy of the day. He stalked towards them, fury slamming his feet hard into the ground.

But as he saw Sarah’s face, filled with joy and excitement, he forced himself to shove the feelings down. He had no idea how he was going to manage this, but he did know he’d do anything to keep his daughter from any more pain than was already barrelling towards her. So, as much as he wanted to yell, he forced himself to project an air of calm that couldn’t be further from how he really felt, and pasted on the professional smile that had served him so well over the years.

She greeted him with a sunny smile, holding up an already melting ice cream. ‘Sorry, it’s not the best weather for a snowman, but it’ll probably still taste good.’

She must have seen past his polite, professional smile, because her face fell.

‘Is everything OK?’

‘Actually, Liv, no, it’s not.’ He ground out the words, before taking a breath and forcing the rest out calmly. ‘Could I have a moment, please?’

‘Of course.’ She smoothed down the fabric of her skirt.

‘Sarah, stay right here, please. I just need a quick word with Liv. All right?’ He waited for her nod before pulling Liv a few steps away. Close enough that he could still keep an eye on Sarah, but far enough that he was sure she couldn’t hear. Enough things were about to be ruined, he wasn’t going to take away her happiness of the day too.

‘Do I need to grab my bag? Are we wanted somewhere?’

Oh, the irony of how she’d phrased it. He tried to force down the lump of raw emotion that threatened to choke him. How he’d been so stupid as to trust her he didn’t know.

‘Cal? What was the call? Who needs help?’

‘Apparently one of the West London NHS Clinical Trusts.’

‘What?’

‘Congratulations, Dr Emery. You got the job you wanted. That call,’ he spat the words out angrily, ‘was a reference request. Don’t worry, I didn’t fuck it up for you. I wouldn’t want you to be stuck here in this backwards village with me for any longer than strictly necessary.’

‘Callum, I . . .’

‘In fact, now Dad’s back, you needn’t hang around any longer. You can consider your contract terminated. Effective immediately. I’m sure it won’t take you too long to gather your things. It’s not like you ever planned to stay here.’

‘Callum, will you please let me―’