POV: Kesley

Cherry walked directly to Nora, took her by the arm with the grip of a woman who had grown up with brothers and knew exactly how much force was required to move a person who didn’t want to be moved, and walked her to the office door.

Nora said several things during this process. None of them were effective.

Cherry opened the door and released her into the corridor with the precise, practised efficiency of someone removing an unwanted item from a space it had no business occupying.

"Hannah," I called.

My secretary appeared immediately, her expression professionally blank with great effort.

"Please ensure Miss Nora does not...