Ben still didn’t like the idea of bringing Nora, but he knew better than to try and argue it again. Melody believed him, apparently, but she looked so shaken that he almost wished she hadn’t. And he knew her well enough to know that if she thought there was any chance she might not be coming back, there was no way she was going to let Nora out of her sight. Which meant if disaster did follow them, he would have to look after both of them, try and save both of them, not just Melody… but he still had to try. If he left her here and she died again, and he’d had the chance to take her away, he’d never be able to move on from this — it would always feel like her death was his fault. And if he took her and Nora away and the worst should happen he would still always feel like it was his fault — but at least then there was a chance that something would change.

“Alright,” he agreed. He had the impulse to reach for her again but knew he shouldn’t give in; grabbing her hand would only delay them in leaving, and he didn’t know exactly when it was supposed to happen. “Don’t bother with a bag, if it’s not already packed. It’s just until tonight.”

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