Right Number, Wrong Girl

Not as much as he’d think. I’d cleared a good amount out yesterday, so after a couple of phone calls, I was free.

Evelyn sighed. “All right, all right. Let’s pander to my nightmare-in-law.”

I pressed my lips together and looked at Hugo.

He waved his hand. “Just… do it.”

Evelyn rubbed her hands together. “Let’s shop!”

***

“I am becoming increasingly alarmed at how well you and my grandmother get along.”

I grimaced, slowly nodding my head. “You and me both. I am agreeing with far too many things she says, and I’m starting to scare myself.”

Hugo pressed his lips together with a rueful glance at me. “Starting to?”

“I am scared.”

“You’re right to be. She’s insane.” He put his hands in his pockets, his lips twisting to one side. “She’s standing right behind me, isn’t she?”

Laughing, I shook my head. “No, she’s still not back. Don’t worry.”

“Well, I’m glad I’m not the person who has to clean that bathroom.”

I shuddered. “Can we not? I don’t want my cake to come back up.”

“Sorry.” He grinned. “You seem like you’re getting it sorted out. The party.”

“I think so. Henry was a big help after your mother ripped me apart yesterday”

Hugo grunted at the mention of his brother.

“What’s that all about?” I asked.

“What?”

“You. Every time I mention your brother’s name, you get a hugely sour look on your face and make some stupid noise that I’d expect out of a prepubescent girl, not a thirty-year-old man.”

He fought back a smile. “That’s quite the comparison.”

I shrugged, unbothered. “It’s true.”

“We don’t get along, for the most part. It’s complicated.”

“Believe it or not, I was able to deduce that much for myself.” It was glaringly obvious. “Is it really that bad?”

“Right. I’m ready for my nap now.” Evelyn hobbled through the café and looked at us expectantly. “Let’s go.”

Hugo looked relieved to have an out for that conversation. If he thought I was done on the topic, he could think again. I was not done. They were so close in age that surely they had to be closer than they seemed.

Or maybe not.

I didn’t know.

I wasn’t about to find out, either, and that really bugged me. Ugh.

I followed them both out to Hugo’s car. At least with Evelyn here he hadn’t considered using the lorry he insisted was a car so there was no risk of me falling this time.