Page 79 of The Allotment on Willow Tree Lane

‘I can’t say. It’s… delicate.’

Rowena’s eyes widened. ‘You make it sound as though he’s up to no good. He’s not into anything shady, is he?’

Ceri snuffled out a wet laugh. ‘Nothing like that, but it’s not my secret to tell.’

‘Secret?Curiouser and curiouser. It all sounds very intriguing.’ Rowena gave her a hug. ‘I’m here for you if you want to talk about it, OK?’

‘I think he’s got someone else,’ Ceri blurted.

Rowena blinked. ‘What makes you think that?’

‘She sent him a message asking him to wake her up when he got to London this morning. It was all kissy-kissy. Her name is Sadie and she’s the sister of one of his best friends.’

‘Have you asked him about her?’

‘Not really.’

‘Don’t you think you should, before you go jumping to conclusions?’

Ceri hung her head. ‘I suppose.’ She still couldn’t shake the feeling that he wasn’t coming back, but Rowena was right – he hadn’t told her that hewasn’t. Maybe she had been a bit hasty and had overreacted? And hehadassured her that he and Sadie weren’t an item…

After Rowena and Nia left, Ceri sent him a message.

Hope the recording goes OK. Missing you too xxx

Hopefully he’d read it soon and reply.

But even if he did, Ceri knew she wouldn’t rest easy until he was back in Foxmore and she was in his arms once more.

The first thing Damon did when he eased his car into the underground car park was tell Ceri he was missing her. He’d debated whether to phone, but she might be teaching, so he sent her a message then headed upstairs.

It was strange being back in his flat after all this time, and as he walked into the hall, Damon realised he no longer belonged here, if he ever had. It had never felt much like a home, but now it felt alien and impersonal with its clean lines and minimalist decor, and he realised he’d never actually put his stamp on it. The apartment was almost as pristine and impersonal as the day he’d moved in.

After dumping his bag in the living room and throwing his keys on the marble-topped table, he hesitated outside the door of the guest bedroom. Sadie did say to wake her up…

‘Sadie?’ He tapped on the wood. ‘Sadie, are you awake?’

He uttered a cry of surprise and almost fell into the room when the door was yanked open, and Sadie launched herself at him and smothered his face in kisses. Damon gently extricated himself and held her at arm’s length.

‘What have I done to deserve a welcome like that?’

‘I thought you might have changed your mind.’

‘I said I would finish the album and I meant it.’ He pulled his hair out of its ponytail and let it fall around his shoulders. Ah, that was better. It had been starting to give him a headache.

‘Er, Damon, the word is out that Black Hyacinth is going to release the new album.’

He rolled his eyes. ‘It’s to be expected, I suppose. You can’t blame Frank for drumming up interest. It could be a big earner for him and the record label.’

‘It’ll be an even bigger earner when Black Hyacinth fans find out it’ll be the last album you ever release. That story will even top this latest one, although I bet there are girls all over the world who are bawling their eyes out right now.’

‘What are you talking about?’

Sadie bit her lip, looking worried. ‘Don’t you know?’

‘Know what?’

‘There are photos of you and Ceri all over the internet.’ She fetched her phone and tapped the screen.

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