“Oh for Heaven’s sake,” she expostulated. “Don’t start bickering. I’m not above administering a box to both your ears. And Max knows I will do it.”
“She doesn’t pull her punches, either.” He rubbed one ear as he reminisced. “You have to admire older sisters. If not, you end up with permanently red ears. And one or two frogs in your bed.”
“I did not…” She paused. “Oh. Well. That was a long time ago.”
Perry’s lips twitched. “Frogs?”
“They were the lesser of two evils. I don’t like snakes.” An honest confession.
“That settles it. You have to accompany me. I want to hear more of how you tortured this poor unfortunate here during his misspent youth.”
Max sighed. “You’d better go with him, Grace. He won’t give either of us any peace until you say yes.”
She looked across the table into smiling whiskey-coloured eyes. And surrendered to their mute appeal. “All right. I will go with you, Perry. But we must return right after lunch.”
“Of course, my dear.” He rose and bowed.
He was all smiles and charm. And she had the strangest feeling he was lying through his white teeth.
