Page 77 of On Circus Lane

I sigh. “Yes?”

She hums. “It’s you and me today, darling.”

“What? And why are you smiling at me like that?”

“Because, at the moment, you’re more transparent than those ghosts the guide was talking about last night.”

I give a beleaguered sigh. “And?”

“Well, you seem mighty disappointed to be with me today. You could hurt a girl’s feelings, you know.”

“Not if she’s you.”

She chuckles for what feels like thirty minutes, while I try to conceal the fact that she’s right. Iama bit disappointed. I love being with Ivy, but I can’t deny that I’ve liked that it’s been just me and Tom. Maybe a bit too much.

She stops laughing. “The others are going to Mary King’s Close.”

I check my memory banks. “Is that underneath the city?”

“Yep. I took a wild guess that you’d be counting yourself out of it.”

I shudder. “Unless anyone fancies witnessing a meltdown of epic proportions.”

“So, I thought we could do something together.”

I sneak a glance at Tom and discover he’s watching me. His grey eyes are warm and almost affectionate, and I find my mouth tilting up in a smile. It takes great effort to wrench my attention away from him and back to Ivy, who’s watching me and smiling.

“That sounds nice.” I mean it because I will always love spending time with her. She’s my girl, and I love her. “Where shall we go?”

She shrugs. “Maybe we can find somewhere and take some photos.”

I brighten. It’s something we love to do together. “Where?”

“I don’t know. I thought your opus might tell us. I’m sorry. I mean your tourist itinerary.”

I roll my eyes, hearing her laugh. I hesitate and look over at Tom. “Maybe we could ask Tom. He’s very good at finding things to do.”

“Ibethe is.”

I glare at her.

She starts to laugh again. “I’m sorry. You were asking for that.”

I wait her out patiently. “Well?”

She shakes her head, her face affectionate. “Ofcoursewe can. I feel I should get to know him.”

“We’re going home tomorrow. Is there any point?”

She examines my face and then pinches my cheek. “I’d say it’s essential.”

“Okay, then.” I hesitate and then say, “Tom?”

He’s talking to Freddy and Jack but immediately breaks away. “Yeah?”

I lick my lips. “Erm, Ivy and I are going off to find some places to photograph for our Instagrams. Do you f-fancy coming too?”

His whole face brightens as though I’ve offered him a pot of gold. “Yeah, that soundsgreat. I’d love to.”

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