Page 372 of Double or Nothing

I press call.

Susan Parker answers with a hello after two rings.

“Good morning, Mrs Parker. I’m terribly sorry to contact you so early. My name is Daniel, and I’m calling from the Charnley Manor’s events team.”

Bryce watches me. There is no trace of amusement in his expression now.

“Yes, everything is absolutely fine,” I assure Susan. “It’s only a minor query regarding the chair style. We have conflicting notes from your latest conversation.”

She begins explaining the selection.

Ivory covers. Pastel ribbon. Some ornate style of chair I’ve never heard of and already despise.

“I completely understand,” I say. “Unfortunately, due to our confirmation process, the bride has to approve the final selection herself.”

Susan assures me Alice is content with her decisions.

“I appreciate that you’ve been managing the arrangements on her behalf. It’s simply red tape, I’m afraid. We need verbal confirmation from Miss Parker before we can close the order.”

Susan sighs.

“Really?” she says. “This is absurd. Alice is far too busy to be engaged with this part of the process.”

Yeah, sure she is.

I keep the professional concern in my voice.

“I do apologise. It will only take thirty seconds.”

Footsteps sound through the line. A door opens.

“Alice!”

Susan’s voice becomes muffled as she explains that somebody from the venue needs confirmation about the chairs.

Then Alice answers.

“Hello?”

Everything inside me stops.

Her voice is flat.

Not sleepy. Not irritated at being summoned to the phone.

Empty. All life drained.

Our beautiful Soul Girl no longer has a soul.

Bryce is close enough to hear it. I feel him stiffen beside me.

My grip tightens around the phone. The actor remains in place because it has to.

“Good morning, Miss Parker. I’m calling from the venue regarding the seating arrangements.”

“Right.”

That single word tells me everything.