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    Liv held back tears as Kelly gasped in shock. She didn’t ask what Liv wanted to do, just told her the sofa would be made up and a cup of tea waiting.
    â€˜Kelly’s husband is coming to get me,’ Liv told Daniel as she handed the phone back.
    â€˜Good.’
    When the pharmacist finally called her name, she collected her drugs and hobbled beside Daniel, clutching the gown to her chest as they passed through hushed corridors on the way to the entrance. She stopped inside the large, glass doors, eyed the dark driveway beyond the drop-off zone warily. ‘Let’s wait here.’
    Ten minutes later, Jason pulled up out the front. Daniel felt like a bodyguard beside her as she went out to meet him.
    â€˜Jesus, Liv,’ Jason said when he was close enough to see her face. He was wearing an old sweatshirt and a pair of jeans with a split at the knee, as if he’d been in bed and threw on whatever clothes he’d dropped on the floor earlier.
    She walked straight into his arms, felt his surprise in the brief, awkward pat before he wrapped her up and held her tight. She’d known him for years – he’d hugged herplenty of times – but she’d never thrown herself at him. Above her head, he and Daniel introduced themselves and shook hands.
    â€˜How is she?’ Jason asked him.
    Liv pulled out of his hold. ‘I’m fine, really. Just sore and emotional.’
    â€˜Maybe a little more than that,’ Daniel said. ‘It’s been a rough night.’
    â€˜What happened?’ Jason directed the question at Daniel.
    Liv answered. ‘A man attacked me in the car park behind the office. Daniel heard me scream and ran to help.’
    â€˜Shit. Did you catch him?’ he asked Daniel.
    Liv frowned at the absurdity of the question. Jason was one of those fine-featured, thin guys who would fade away to skin and bone in older age. He wasn’t more than a pinch taller than her and the last time Liv had needed clothes at their place, she’d worn his jeans. The most aggressive thing she’d ever seen him do was walk quietly from a room in irritation. And his first thought was about chasing down her assailant?
    â€˜I was more concerned about Livia,’ Daniel answered.
    There was something in his tone. Liv couldn’t tell if it was a rebuke or defensiveness but Jason must have picked it up, too. ‘Oh, hey, thanks for looking after her.’
    Daniel lifted his chin in a single, reverse-style nod.
    As Jason put the garbage bag in the boot, Liv eased into the front passenger seat. Daniel ducked his head to her level. ‘I hope you get some sleep.’
    She wanted to say something, but didn’t know where to start. She eyed his face, the dark irises, the matchingstubble on his head and chin. Handsome wasn’t what she’d call him and possibly it was some kind of survivor reaction but she thought it was a great face. The best face she’d seen in a long time.
    Jason slammed the boot. The thunk felt like a prompt. ‘Thank you.’
    â€˜Glad you’re still walking and talking,’ Daniel said and closed the door.
    He walked to the driver’s side and spoke briefly with Jason. She couldn’t hear the conversation and their faces were out of sight above the roof of the car so she watched Daniel’s hands where he rested them on his hips. There was no ring on his left one although that didn’t mean anything. Liv hoped he had a wife he adored and a tribe of fabulous, exceptionally tall children he’d never have to be separated from.
    â€˜Does it hurt much?’ Jason asked as he drove.
    â€˜A bit. It’ll be good to get the drugs on board.’
    They stopped at the traffic lights in Park Street and Liv looked across the road at the street entrance to the suite of offices she’d left only a few hours ago. Then up, over the roof to the car park behind. Bright spots of fluorescent lighting