Page 66 of Knot So Social

The inside’s done up with a beach theme in blue and white, with a ship’s wheel clock on the wall and watercolor sea creatures in pastel blue and peach hues. Cooling, after the blistering heat outside.

I finger comb my hair back, conscious of what a mess I look like. Mrs Warkow is my boss, so I don’t want to present as a slob before her.

“Oh.” She halts in front of a pile of gauzy fabric pooling over a chair with a wooden rod sticking up out of it. “Looks like it came down.”

“Are you just trying to hang this curtain?” I ask.

“Yes.” She smiles, turning her cheek into her shrugging shoulder. “It was a little heavy for me.”

I reposition the chair and climb up to check on the rod holders. One has a loose screw, so I drill that in before reaching for the pole.

Mrs Warkow reaches up and pats my thigh. “I can hold your drill.”

“Oh, thanks.” My skin crawls where her fingers touched.

I work carefully, shunting the fabric along the pole until the closest end clears. The carved head slots neatly in the cradle, this end nicely secured. When I go to step off the chair, I discover the lady directly underneath me.

“Colpa mia!” My body brushes hers, and jerk I back with a hiss, bracing one hand on the wall to catch my fall. “I’m so sorry, ma’am.”

Do people normally stand that close to workmen? Maybe she was afraid I’d overbalance and fall, but the last thing I need is to be accused of something inappropriate.

“No problem at all,” she purrs, voice so soft I have to strain to hear her. Toying with a jeweled pendant on a golden necklace that hangs between her breasts, she adds, “And please, call me Miranda. Mrs Warkow belongs to my mother-in-law.”

Even her name sounds rich.

“If that’s what you prefer.” My policy is to do everything possible to put the clients at ease. They’re the ones paying my bills, or, in this case, providing my accommodation. I step down on the far side of the chair and move it to the opposite end of the window. Miranda trails after me, stroking her pendant. Does she want me to notice it or something?

I take a second look. “That’s a pretty necklace.”

“Oh, isn’t it?” She lifts the gem at the end. “This is called an ametrine. Want a closer look?”

I look to be polite, conscious that I’m too close to her body. But it is pretty. The triangular rock morphs from sunset yellow in the center to soft purple on the outside. Dark lines thrust out through it, like a starburst.

“It’s my birthday present.” Miranda grins and turns her shoulders side-to-side like a young, excited girl.

“It’s lovely. Suits you.” I turn away and climb up to hang the rest of the curtain. A mental clock ticks in my head, counting the minutes and calculating when I need to leave for my next job.

When I’m done, I jump down. “All finished. Is it hanging how you wanted?”

She fusses with the drape for a minute before nodding.

“Perfect.” She turns her gaze back on me, eyes feverish.

But she doesn’t tell me I can go, so I stand there awkwardly, hands behind my back waiting. Oh, I better pack things up. I carry the chair back into the dining area and fetch a dustpan and brush from the kitchen. Best to make sure I didn’t loosen any plaster dust redrilling the fixture.

Miranda’s gaze tracks me every step of the way as I clean up a few bits of dust on the floor. The way her eyes stay glued on me has an eerie prickle running down my spine. Feels far too similar to how Mr Monstead’s wife watches me through the window.

Merda, I really hope I’m wrong about what’s going on in Miranda’s mind.

My landlady follows me back to the kitchen as I dump the trash. When I replace the dustpan, she hoists herself up onto the benchtop and sticks her foot out to block my path.

“Is there . . . something else you need help with?” I ask, my stomach tightening as I consider what her answer might be.

Miranda rakes a slow gaze over my bare chest. “There is.”

“If there’s gardening, or more things to fix—”

She giggles and grabs my arm, tugging me closer. “Come on, Alessandro. Don’t play coy. Do you think I haven’t seen you running topless around my yard?”