The Villa of Secrets

The crisp days of early autumn arrived and London felt unusually sharp and bright.

Cleo left the hospice where she’d recently started a new nursing job and fastened her navy jacket; though the sun was shining for now, it was colder outside than she’d imagined.

She’d taken the afternoon off to join Tash and Maya in a café overlooking the Thames. They’d intended to have their reunion much sooner, but they’d all been extremely busy. Basically, life had got in the way. They’d kept in close touch by phone and text, though.

Both Tash and Maya were already seated by the window when Cleo arrived, and she was momentarily taken back by their appearance.