Page 16 of Yearning Difficulties

I offered him a tight smile. ‘Never fear, comrade. I know you’re the regular rich, not the reptilian kind. Still evil but, you know, an amuse-bouche rather than the main course when it comes to the eat-the-rich banquet we’re all owed.’

‘Appreciate it. I’ll taste good with ranch mayo.’

I tried another tack. ‘Does anything make her nervous?’

He snorted. ‘I mean. She likes eye contact? Mostly because I don’t. She doesn’t mind if you push back on her opinions a little, but she hates being contradicted. And she loathes pop culture.’

‘Okay,’ I said. ‘I’m not really the argue-with-strangers-at-the-dinner-table sort, so I should be all right.’

‘You’ll be perfect. Besides, Dad’s working late and Chris is easy to talk to. It’ll just be the four of us.’

As if his words had somehow summoned them, voices could suddenly be heard from another part of the house. I did a small turn for Killian. ‘Do I look okay? Unrumpled?’

He cleared his throat and offered up a tight smile. ‘Perfect.’

‘Good,’ I breathed. ‘Okay, let’s go.’

He led me into a large reception room on the other side of the house. Dr Bergery was pouring herself some white wine and smiling at something Christian was saying. When Killian and I entered the room, her eyes shot up. ‘Oh. Company.’

‘Mum,’ Killian said, taking the lead, ‘this is Zella Blass. From school.’

I held out my hand. ‘Nice to meet you, Dr Bergery.’

We’d met a handful of times during fairs at the high school but I knew that she didn’t remember.

‘Blass?’ Dr Bergery said, accepting my hand and giving it a short shake. ‘I know that name.’

‘My mum owns Molly’s. The hair salon on the square? And my dad works for Lake Pristine Council.’

‘That’s right,’ Dr Bergery said warmly. ‘Very good, pleasure to meet you, Bella. I must say, this is a first. Killian never brings anyone home.’

‘Her name’s Zella, Mum,’ Killian said quietly.

‘This is such a beautiful house,’ I quickly interjected, giving Killian a nudge in silent retribution. I would never have corrected the mistake. People got my name wrong all the time. ‘Just stunning.’

Dr Bergery beamed. ‘Isn’t it? It’s what drew us to this town a few years ago. The rest of the drive is still empty, unfortunately.’

‘Not true,’ Christian said, piping up with a grin. ‘Number three and four were sold to a secret bidder a month ago and the Minolas are moving in next door.’

‘To number two?’ asked his mother with a small frown.

‘Yes.’

‘Oh, that’s right! I heard that on the Facebook group.’

Christian and Killian shared a secret look and mouthed ‘Facebook group’ to each other. I smothered a smile and tried to engage. ‘Minola? As in Logan Minola in our year?’

‘The very one,’ Killian said as the four of us headed into the dining room. ‘Terrifying guy.’

A maid in a pale grey uniform was setting the table and lighting some candles for us all. The sight of her startled me.

‘Oh, he is not, Killian,’ Dr Bergery said, taking her place at the head of the table. Killian and I sat side by side, with Christian across from us. Mr Bergery’s seat was left empty. ‘He’s incredibly bright, if a little taciturn. He’s far more focused than that younger sister of his.’

‘Bibi?’ I said. ‘She does throw a good Halloween party though.’

Dr Bergery regarded me with interest. ‘Oh, yes?’

‘That’s where you and I met, Chris,’ I said, gesturing to Killian’s twin. ‘Last October?’