If he needed to research something he would make a note on the paper notebook next to him and then look up the fact later and thread the facts through.
There were more research notes than ever with the police rules into a murder investigation but he was enjoying looking them up in the evening.
But as he wrote he found himself thinking of Eve in her cherry red knitted cardigan and her shiny dark hair. She reminded him of the girl inAméliebut prettier.
Watch ‘Amélie’, he wrote on his notepad.
It was kind of her to take Flora out on her errands. He worried about her being at home so much but Amber had insisted on home-schooling her until she had taken off. He wasn’t even sure that Amber had even filled in the proper forms to be allowed to do this. As far as the Department of Education was concerned, Flora and Myles didn’t even exist in the schooling system. Flora’s schooling had become non-existent since then, unless you counted her ability to warm up dolls.
He made another note:Look into school for Flora.
He underlined it and looked at the words. Did this mean he accepted that Amber wasn’t returning?
So, what happened to Myles now Amber was truly gone? He hadn’t adopted Myles, so the child still had a father out there somewhere. What if there was an accident and Myles needed a decision made on his behalf for surgery or a blood transfusion? Was that up to him? Would they have to call Amber? She didn’t answer her phone when he called. Sporadic texts at most. Sometimes a picture for Flora. Nothing for Myles.
He leaned back in his chair and looked at the computer screen.
He might ask Eve her opinion, he thought, and then he started to write.
*
Eve returned from Crossbourne with Flora and carrying a large number of packages.
‘Look at you two, doing Father Christmas’s work,’ Edward said as he stood by the front door watching Eve and Flora come inside.
Flora looked exceptionally pleased as she entered.
‘Eve bought me a doctor’s set so I can make sure the babies are alive.’
‘Excellent idea,’ he said and reached down and took a large number of shopping bags from Eve’s hand.
‘Nice car,’ she said, looking back at Edward’s Range Rover. ‘I only had one accident but the other car is much worse off.’
‘Ha ha, verrry funny,’ he said. ‘Anything in here for me?’
Was he flirting?God stop it, Edward,he told himself.
‘Maybe, if you’re very good,’ Eve replied. Was she flirting? He was out of practice and she was looking gorgeous with her cheeks pink from the cold.
‘I hope you were writing,’ she said sternly.
‘I did write. Hilditch said you would be cross with me and I can’t have you cross with me.’
She gave him a small eye-roll and a smile. ‘Did you email it to me?’
‘I did.’
‘Then I look forward to reading it.’
Oh yes, she was flirting.
‘Daddy.’ He heard Flora’s voice and he leaned down. She was wearing a stethoscope and she put it to his chest.
‘I can hear your heart,’ she said. Her little face was very serious as she performed her examination.
‘And what is it saying?’ he asked and he looked up at Eve who was watching Flora. Eve was so beautiful, he thought. Her eyes were as big as moons and her heart-shaped face was like one of Flora’s dolls.
‘It’s beating very fast,’ Flora said.
