“She was fourteen, but yeah, it hit Jonas hard. She used to go everywhere with him.”
He really has had a terrible time of it lately—it’s no wonder he’s felt down. He seemed happy enough today, though, and on Friday night, albeit when he’d had a few. I wonder if it helps having Anders at home.
“I’ve always wanted a dog,” I say, pausing a moment.
“I thought you were a cat lady?”
“Nah, I was only teasing you about that. I like cats and dogs equally.”
He smiles. “What would you call your dog?”
I think he’s remembered that I named my cat after Zaha Hadid.
“Eames, I reckon.”
“After Charles or Ray?”
“Depends on whether it’s a boy or girl.”
He laughs and nods.
I love that he gets my architecture references.
“Go straight through,” he directs me.
I come out into the kitchen at the back of the house where Peggy is at a counter, chopping beans.
She jolts as she sees us. “Anders!” she scolds. “You shouldhave gone around the front! This is no way to bring a guest into our home.”
He rolls his eyes at her as she grabs a tea towel and dries off her hands. Her white hair is piled up on her head in a chignon.
“I’m going to change my shirt,” Anders says, calling over his shoulder to his mother as he walks down the corridor: “Jonas will be here in a minute.”
I stand there awkwardly, wishingIcould change or take a shower.
“Do you need some help?” I ask Peggy.
“No, I’m all done here,” she replies, taking off her apron. “I hope you like lamb.”
“I do. It smells delicious, but I’m worried you’ve gone to too much trouble.”
She waves off my concern. “I would have cooked for the boys anyway. What would you like to drink? I was thinking about opening a bottle of rosé.”
“That sounds great. I’m sorry I’m empty-handed.”
“Oh, stop.” She goes to the fridge and pulls out a bottle, saying as she cracks open the screw top, “I loved the peach drink, by the way.”
“The Bellini?”
“I’d forgotten what it was called, but yes. It was delicious.”
“I’ll bring you some more puree.”
“That wasn’t a hint! But I won’t say no if you can spare some.”
“We candefinitelyspare some,” I say with a smile, accepting the glass she passes me and looking around.
The kitchen walls and ceiling are entirely clad with ginger pine, a material that also forms the cabinets and counter.Together with the orangey-red terra-cotta floor tiles, the overall effect is a tad overbearing.
