No Turning Back: The can’t-put-it-down thriller of the year

Anna shook her head. ‘Nothing. Let’s change the subject, shall we?’

Nathan smiled. ‘Of course. So what are your thoughts about coming back to work?’

Anna looked at him, alarmed. ‘Now?’

‘Maybe in a month or so, whenever suits you.’

‘It’s not ideal, is it, the person reading the news being the news?’

‘Exactly what we discussed yesterday. But we have a solution! You could work behind the scenes, you’ve done it before when you had laryngitis and couldn’t talk, remember?’

Anna gave Joni her sippy cup and fanned her hot cheeks with the menu. ‘Aren’t there rules about employees who’ve been involved in an incident like this?’

He shrugged. ‘You were released with no charge. It’ll be good for you, Anna. You can get some semblance of a normal life back. You’ll miss Joni, I’m sure, but I’m only suggesting part-time to start with, maybe a couple of days a week. Plus there’s the money too.’

Anna sighed. He was right. Guy paid maintenance for Joni but it was now up to her to cover the mortgage on a house she wasn’t even able to live in and everything else.

Joni threw a handful of mashed banana onto the floor. Anna thought about Nathan’s offer as she leaned down to wipe the banana up. Regardless of the money, could she really leave Joni to go to work, even if it was for a few hours and even if she’d be left with family, either Florence or the nursery her mother-in-law owned? It was already so difficult when Guy had her. But Nathan was right, she needed the money…and she needed a semblance of normality.

‘There’s a lot to think about. Can I let you know in a few days?’ she asked.

‘Of course.’ Nathan took a sip of his latte and leaned back in his chair. ‘Did I tell you about what Heather said to me the other day?’

As they gossiped about work, Anna felt herself relax. Maybe life could begin to feel normal?

In fact, Anna felt so relaxed after her coffee with Nathan that she decided to stay out a little longer, strolling down the beach front under the sun, popping into the boutique shops to browse. It almost felt like she was back to her old life, before the terrible day Elliot Nunn had died. Anna batted that thought away and headed to her favourite second-hand bookshop, flicking through the books that were laid out on the long tables outside, the sea breeze providing some respite from the growing heat.