Out of the Ashes by Louisa Scarr

Author:Louisa Scarr [Scarr, Louisa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-07-15T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

They step down the corridor towards the ceremonial room in the hotel. There’s still half an hour before the official start time, but people are already milling around, excited conversation in the air. Liam leaves Robin’s side and heads over to an older couple Robin recognises as Liam’s parents.

Robin takes a moment to enjoy the scene. The room is beautiful. Plain white walls, simple chairs decorated with sprays of summer flowers in blue and purple. The day is sunny and bright, and a cool breeze blows through the double doors at the side. They open out to a gravel drive, then a long, carefully manicured garden, brick walls bordering bright purple bunches of lavender whose smell is gently perfuming the air.

He turns back to the room. People are starting to take their seats and he scans the rows, but there’s no sign of Freya. Perhaps she’s decided not to come. Robin doesn’t know many people here, and he isn’t relishing the thought of a day of small talk. He was looking forward to having Freya here to ease the awkwardness – his awkwardness.

But it’s not just that. He’s eager to see her, spend some time with her, just the two of them, away from the office. Like the old days. To talk about what? To do what? his brain fires at him, but he pushes the questions away.

Liam’s speaking to the celebrant at the front of the room and Robin moves up to join them. Liam fidgets, glancing at his watch every few seconds and adjusting his tie.

Robin places a hand on his arm. ‘She’ll be here.’

‘She’s late. It’s not like Lizzie.’

‘The bride is supposed to be late.’ He knows what Liam’s thinking. Car accidents. Blood on concrete. ‘It’s not—’ he begins, but Liam cuts him off.

‘I know. Listen, Robin. Thank you. For being here. Being my best man. I couldn’t imagine anyone else I’d want by my side.’

‘Any time.’ Robin grins. He can’t help a glance back to the crowd of the latest arrivals.

Liam chuckles next to him. ‘I thought it was supposed to be me, anxiously waiting for the arrival of a beautiful woman.’

‘Piss off,’ Robin says, good-naturedly.

Liam laughs and turns to speak to a guest.

Robin surreptitiously checks his phone. Maybe she couldn’t make it after all. But there’s nothing from Freya, only a quick text from Josh.

Emily Rhodes had a message last night. From him. Freya says I should go and check on her. Okay?

Shit. Robin feels bad that he’s here when the case is moving forward. But life must go on; he can’t work 24/7.

Yes, please. Hold the fort until I get back.

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