‘I can’t believe you’re still here, still in one piece.’ I’m so tired I let her lead me. ‘Still here,’ I mutter. ‘Where else would I be?’ She gives me a strange look as she turns us back towards the circular ramp that will take us back downstairs. The nightwatchmen walk us across the mosaic-tiled foyer and into the enclosed portico that serves as the entrance to Atelier Re. Sensor lights go on and the electronic eye looks down upon us for the last time today. As Gia and I wait for the second set of sleek glass doors to open to let us out into the street, I see that it’s snowing steadily. It’s also very dark, and I’m reminded of the time Ryan made sure I didn’t stray out of the circle of light cast by the street lamp outside his house, so that his ex-girlfriend, Brenda, wouldn’t see the skin of my face and hands glowing in the night air. He’s still helping me navigate this life, even though he’s not here. I feel a wave of intense pain and turn to Gia and say more gruffly than I intend, ‘Give me one of your scarves.’ She hands one across and watches me bemusedly as I pull the scarf over the top of my cloche hat and wrap it tightly about my face, then shove Irina’s hands into her black leather gloves.
