“In the upstairs guest bedrooms,” Harper said, gripping the handle of her second suitcase.

“Julian needs the whole second floor for his regional team.”

“And where am I meant to sleep?” I asked.

“Dad thought you could set up a cot in the garage,” Harper said, looking past my shoulder into the front hall.

“Julian put a portable space heater out there this morning.”

I stood frozen on the cold threshold.

My fingers closed tighter around the blue deposit slip tucked in my coat pocket.

Down the street, the low growl of a heavy engine bounced off the neighboring houses.