‘That’s all right. As long as you’re okay. Were you injured?’
‘Just a few cuts and bruises. Nothing to worry about.’
‘Oh, that’s a relief! Where are you?’
‘Daniel has offered to put me up in his spare room to save me having to travel across town.’
‘That’s good of him.’
‘Yes. I didn’t feel like getting on a train on my own tonight.’
‘I’m not surprised. Well, you take care and ring me tomorrow.’
‘I will, Dad.’
Although she’d doubted him in the past, the concern in his voice told her how much he loved her.
She went back into the kitchen where Daniel handed her a glass of wine.
‘Here, I think we could both do with one.’
‘Thanks.’ She took a sip, savouring the cold and crisp taste.
‘Do you want anything to eat?’
She shook her head. ‘No, I’ve got no appetite.’
‘Me neither. I think we’re both in shock . . . I’ll never forget tonight.’
‘Nor me.’ She remembered how she held the hand of a woman as she slipped away while the medics were trying to save her. Then she thought of Eva and wondered if she was okay.
On the wall of the far side of the kitchen, the television burbled away with repeated news of the night’s events. At first it had been assumed it was a terrorist attack but, as no one had claimed responsibility, it was looking more likely that it was a tragic accident. Investigators were already trying to piece together what caused the explosion at the start of the runway.
So far ten people had died and many more were injured. How easily it could have been them. They sat in silence watching the scenes unfold on the television. Scenes that, only a short time earlier, they’d been at the centre of.
‘What about the photos?’ She suddenly remembered what they’d been doing before the blast. ‘Have they been lost?’
‘No, the camera around my neck was damaged but the SD card is still intact, and all the earlier photos were already uploaded to the cloud.’
‘Well, at least that’s something.’
‘Yes. All the equipment is ruined, but it’s covered on my insurance. Not important.’ He paused. ‘Anna?’
‘Yes?’ She turned to face him, concerned at the worried expression on his face.
‘This might sound crass, but we’re going to need to get the photos uploaded as soon as possible. They might be needed as part of the investigation, but as they have been commissioned byFashionista, they’re the ones who are going to have to send them to the police. Then it will be up to them what they do with them, and we owe it to the models to send the best versions across as we can. Do you feel up to helping me or have you had enough?’
‘Of course I’ll help you.’ She didn’t need to think twice.
‘We both deserve some sleep but we’ll need to start editing first thing in the morning.’
She drained her glass. ‘Whatever you think best.’
‘In that case, I’ll show you to your room and give you a call in the morning. The sooner we can get them over, the better. I think we should take the rest of the week off. There’s nothing in the diary for the next few days, so I thought I might head up to Cheshire. I know I’m not due to see Ben, but under the circumstances Lucinda might let me have some extra time with him.’
‘Of course you must. You’ll want to give him lots of hugs after what you’ve been through and I’m sure he’ll want to do the same. It’s just . . .’ She paused, not really knowing how to broach the question she wanted to ask him.
‘What?’
