“Can I come in and talk to Kitty? He’s not answering my texts. I just want to make sure he’s okay.”
“Yeah, of course.” Renley opens the door for me and as I walk in, I let my hand drag over hers momentarily before entering the living room, where Kitty is on the couch, watching videos on her phone.
“Hey, Kitty,” I say, pulling her attention.
“Theodore,” she answers with a smile. “Have you decided to delight us with your company for our Sunday roast this weekend? Renley asked you, right?”
“She did.” I nod. “And yes, I will be there.”
“Splendid,” she says with a hint of an accent before turning back to her phone.
“Aunt Kitty, I think Theo has a question for you.”
“Is that so?” She sets her phone down and crosses her arms at her chest, the swoosh of her tracksuit filling the silence. “What is it that you need to ask me?”
“It’s about Rupert.” I stuff my hands in my pockets. “It seems as though he’s not at the house and I was wondering if you perhaps knew where he was.”
“Did he not tell you he was headed up north for a few days?”
Feeling like an arsehat, I shake my head. “He did not.”
“Ah, well, must have slipped his mind. He’s staying at a bed and breakfast up north. It sits right on the shore. Said he wanted to experience waking up to the sound of the waves right at his window. He’ll be back for the Sunday roast though. I made sure of it.”
“Oh, yeah, he, uh…he did tell me about that. Must have slipped my mind,” I say, trying to save face. I scratch the top of my head. “What bed and breakfast was that again?”
“The Pillow Room.”
“Ah right, the Pillow Room.” Who names a bed and breakfast that? Feels more like a name for a club than a quaint seaside residence.
“If you’re worried about my training schedule, he gave me a list of things to practice while he’s gone, so I’m all set.” She plops her right leg on the coffee table and then starts stretching, reaching her fingertips toward her toes but not quite making it. “See how bendy I’ve gotten?”
Looks like she’s about to snap a hamstring.
“Yeah, real bendy.”
“Rupert likes that I’m getting bendy.” She snaps her teeth at me, like she’s trying to pretend to eat me.
What the hell?
“Oh-kay,” Renley steps in. “I think we’re good here. Theo, any other questions, or can I show you those paint samples I’ve been meaning to show you?”
What paint—ohhh.
“Yeah, I think we’re good. Sorry to interrupt.” I offer Kitty a wave. “See you on Sunday.”
“See you Sunday. Wear your best.”
“Of course.”
Together, Renley and I exit the house, and I follow her to the detached garage, where she pulls me behind the building. We are hidden behind a large hydrangea plant.
When her eyes meet mine, she asks, “Are you okay?”
“I don’t know.” I drag my hand over my mouth. “Should I go up there and talk to him? I don’t even know how far of a drive that is. Rupert and I have never really fought, so I’m just…I’m surprised. I don’t really know how to handle this.”
“I can drive you up there if you want.” Her hand climbs up my chest.
“No, you can’t afford to lose another day, especially since you’re taking me fishing on Saturday.” I blow out a heavy breath, my mind racing. “Maybe I can call him at the bed and breakfast. Because the last thing I want to do is show up and then have him push me away.”
