What I do notice is Sergei watching me, then leaning in to murmur something to Jay. I swear they’re doing it on purpose, just to make me uncomfortable. It’s working, but once again, I can’t show any sign of weakness in this place.
I’ll have to ask Tom if he knows a spa that treats family-burned-out souls like me. Preferably with saunas and hot springs. He owes me that much for dragging me into this circus. Besides, it might be nice to be the one on the massage table for once.
A chair scrapes. Jay stands. “My apologies. Please start. We’ll be back.”
He leaves with Sergei at his side. As Jay passes, his fingers brush Cheryl’s and Effy’s shoulders. Two more chairs scrape back. They follow him toward the office, or so I assume when I catch a final glimpse of them turning at the stairs.
Janice rises and shuts the dining room door.
“That’s weird…” Joan says, her comment sparking conversation.
Tom nudges my arm. “This isn’t usual. It’s best we stay alert.”
Janice claps her hands. “Everyone, back to your plates!”
She must be third in command, the authority in her voice leaving no doubt.
Meanwhile Finn slips in through the kitchen. How the hell did he get there? I wouldn’t be surprised if the North House was built like a Clue board. Hidden stairs, secret passageways. It wouldn’t even shock me if Jay was watching us right now through a peephole in the painting above the sideboard, a medieval Scottish family poses in front of their castle. Not a castle, a broch, part of a dún.
I skim the bricks, half expecting to find a pair of eyes.
Am I getting paranoid? Or rather, more paranoid?
Suddenly I feel averyimpatient finger tapping on my shoulder.
“How did you guys happen?” Joan’s watching me and Tom with her brightest, glinting smile.
My eyes snap to Tom.
“Tom, how did we happen?”
He gives her the kind of mysterious smile a girl like Joan can’t resist. Of course she’s falling for it, she’s so easy to tease.
“Yosh was teaching yoga in the meditation garden. I was admiring him from a distance.”
Joan grins. “Stalking, you mean.”
Tom waves his hand. “Shh, don’t ruin it.”
I roll my eyes, bracing for the bullshit.
“His skin was glowing, high ponytail swaying in the wind. And God, the way he moved. So damn graceful. I fell hard that day and decided he was going to be mine.”
Heat creeps into my face. It’s ridiculous, but also…sweet. My fingers lace with his as we share a brief look.
Tom continues. “Next day. I had my first appointment with him. I poured my heart out about my sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll life. And, of course, this crazy family. You know, the usual.”
The usual.
Joan nods solemnly. “Same. Same.”
Tom wets his lips. “After an hour of me doing the talking, I asked Yosh if he had a boyfriend. I figured he owed me at least one answer after all that personal trauma.”
That’s not how it went, but sure. Joan is hanging on every word.
“Yosh got pissed, asking if that was a problem. And I said, ‘Hell yes, that’s a problem. Because now we have to find a new boyfriend for your boyfriend.’”
Joan screams. The whole table watches her topple backward into Alex’s lap.
