“Would you like some?” she asks as I peel a little crepe from her fair hairline.
“Maybe I’ll just have this piece,” I say, studying it between my fingertips. “Saving the washing up, I see.” I smile Lavender’s way.
“That was the plan,” she singsongs back.
“Where’s Sam?” I know he didn’t make this mess, but the kitchen is the chef’s domain.
“There have been two messages this morning,” Lavender says brusquely, turning and flicking the crepe maker off. “Apparently, both Sam and Maria have come down with some kind of stomach thing.”
“Well, shit.”
“That’s not what they said, but it could be.”
I slide her an exasperated look.
“Uncle Raif!” Daisy chastises. “You said a bad word.”
“How do you know it’s a bad word?”
“Because she’s got ears,” Lavender retorts, swiping up a bowl and pulling the dishwasher door open.
Daisy nods earnestly. “Two of them. And I’ve heard people say that word before,” she says. “Lots of times.”
“Not in this house.” Because I’ve been very careful around her and made sure everyone else has, too. But she’s still nodding.
“Who?” I force myself not to look at Lavender, though my money is on her.
“Leo said it when he came into the kitchen when you were still in bed. Antonio knew it was a bad word because he smacked Leo on the back of the head.”
“I see.” My gaze slides to Lavender, bent at the waist, all round arse and bare legs. “I take it Leo brought the message?” No answer. “Lavender?”
“Hmm?” She still doesn’t turn.
I force my gaze to the ceiling because that is a sight that could drive a man to—
Fucking Leo.I’m gonna blind the bastard with a shit-covered stick.
“Lavender!” I bark. Her body jerks upright. Daisy’s little body just jerks, too.Fuck.“Sorry,” I begin, making a gesture to my ear. “That was a little louder than I meant.”
“Uncle Raif mustn’t have his hearing aid in,” Lavender says, narrowing her gaze.
“Uncle Raif doesn’t wear a hearing aid,” Daisy says, coming to my defense. “He’snotthat old.”
“But maybe I should.” I’ll probably be bald and need a pacemaker from stress before the year is up. “Why don’t you go and get dressed?” I slip my hands under Daisy’s arms to lift her down. “Looks like you’re coming to work with me.” I’ll make some other arrangement on the way.Fucking school holidays.
“Or you can come with me,” Lavender offers.
“You don’t need to do that.” I promised her yesterday that Daisy would be none of her concern.But look at the scene you just walked in on, whispers a little voice inside me. It’s trueI’ve never seen Daisy relaxed around someone new. It took her months to raise her gaze to mine when I spoke to her.
“I’ll bet my workplace is way more fun than his,” Lavender says, ignoring me but for the thumb she hooks my way.
“How?” Daisy asks, her voice small.
“Well, I work in an art gallery, and I hear you’re quite the artist yourself.”
Daisy’s eyes are suddenly bright. “An art gallery with artists?” She doesn’t wait for an answer, her cotton candy morning hair swinging around as she asks, “Can I go with Lavender, Uncle Raif? Can I be an artist today? Please?”
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
