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Melody pressed a hand to her closed mouth, squelching a burp before responding in a whisper. “The shrimp betrayed me.” Then she hunched forward again with another moan.

Of course. The shrimp from the takeout. Tasha and Melody had both eaten the entire portion together when Claire had passed on accepting any. She’d never trusted those beady-eyed, rubbery creatures. Anything that resembled the insides of the Tauntaun Han Solo killed on Hoth could not—should not—be eaten.

Did that mean Liam hadn’t eaten any of the shrimp either? She glanced through the bars of the banister, though she couldn’t see to the kitchen.

“I’m sorry,” Melody said, shaking her head against her arms. “I don’t think I can walk around London today.”

“Don’t even worry about it for one second. We can go another time.”

Melody raised her head, though she still leaned forward, clutching her stomach. “No, we can’t. You know each day is planned. If you don’t get out today, you’ll have to miss something else you wanted to see.”

Melody was right. Claire really didn’t want to pass on the opportunity to see Big Ben and the palaces. But then, she couldn’t very well leave Melody and Tasha at home to fend for themselves. It wasn’t like Liam would take care of them either. She wouldn’t put it past him to ignore the sickies altogether.

“It’s alright,” Claire said again, as if to reassure herself along with Melody. “We’ll just have a day in together. Maybe we could make the Christmas cookies today instead of—”

“Oh,” Melody said, delivering an extended groan. “Don’t mention any food to me.”

Claire hesitated. “Alright, then we’ll just…watch Christmas movies or something.”

Melody froze, her face dropping a shade whiter as she clutched her stomach. Taking a few deep breaths, she shook her head, her body seeming to relax just a fraction. “No,” she said, as if holding her breath. “I’m serious, Claire. I can’t have you stay here. I’m going to be spending the entire day on the toilet or sleeping. I can’t…” She stopped, groaning again. “You have to go.”

Claire watched in dismay, wishing she could help her friend, then Melody’s words settled on her mind. “Wait, you want me to go out alone?”

Before Melody could respond, Liam’s voice from the hallway sounded through the banister bars. “You won’t be going alone,” he said smoothly, walking down the hallway and standing at the bottom of the stairs. He looked up at her and Melody with a raised chin. “I’ll be going with you.”

EIGHT

Liam’s statement was so out of nowhere, so insanely ludicrous, that Claire started laughing. “You can’t be serious.”

His expression said otherwise.

Melody grunted again as she rubbed circles over her stomach. “Would you, Liam? That would be so amazing. I’d feel so much better knowing she didn’t have to go alone.”

“No, no, no, no,” Claire protested as gently as possible. “I can’t ask him to do that.”

Liam shook his head. “You’re not asking me. I’m volunteering.”

Claire narrowed her eyes. Was he really volunteering? Just like he’d volunteered to apologize the day before?

“I’ll feel so much better knowing Liam’s with you,” Melody said with another grimace. “I would never forgive myself if you got lost alone in London.”

Claire frowned. Get lost? How old did Melody think she was?

Before she could respond, Liam motioned to the door. “Come on, then. I assume you don’t wish to be kept waiting any longer than you have.”

Melody spoke through another groan. “She hates being late.”

“I thought she might.”

Claire clenched her jaw, her lips pursing in the process.

Brushing aside her annoyance, she turned back to Melody. “I’m not going to just leave you here without any help.”

Melody burped behind her closed lips and grimaced. “Believe me, you’ll be doing all of us a favor by leaving.” Then her eyes widened as she clenched her stomach with both hands. “Ugh. Just end the agony now.” She jumped up from her spot on the stairs and raced to the bathroom. “Claire, I wouldn’t sit that close to here if I were you. Liam, do whatever it takes to get her out of this house!” Then she slammed the door behind her.

Not wishing to hear what Melody was doing behind the closed door, Claire hopped up and moved down the stairs.

“Ready?” Liam asked as he pulled on his dark coat.