Read Chapter 8: — HOME

Noah met her at the door and burst into tears.

“I didn’t cheat.”

“I know.”

“You can’t know.”

“I know you.”

That was enough.

Emma decided Noah would study from home temporarily while they appealed the school decision.

Her father worried it would ruin his future.

Emma told him one institution did not own the future.

Her mother blamed herself for arranging the first meeting with Gavin.

Peter did not visit.

That helped.

Emma installed cameras around the house, changed locks, backed up evidence to cloud storage and gave copies to Helen and Daniel.

Then she walked into the old orchard.

Eight empty hive stands sat behind the shed.

Her grandfather had built them.

Her uncle Martin had six active colonies.

Wild bees nested in dry-stone walls, abandoned barns and cracks in the hills.

Emma had less than £6,000 left.

She bought hives, protective gear, frames, feeders and a second-hand extractor.

Her father looked at the growing pile.

“So this is the plan?”

“No.”

“What’s the plan?”

“Find out whether there is one.”