Isla screams in the background.
Yikes.
“Well,” Jill begins, “I was hoping Ingrid could tell me where she left her spare key.”
I know Jason has it. I guess he’s kept his word.
“She brought it with us,” I say. “Why do you need it?”
“Isla really needs to measure the walls for wallpaper,” Jill groans.
I take a deep breath. Isla has been given everything because she throws a temper tantrum. But she’s not going to take Ingrid’s room.
“Can you give the phone to Grandpa Harvey?” I ask Jill.
She clears her throat. “Uh… yes.”
Ingrid mouthsWhat are you doing?at me, but I turn my back to her and sit on the edge of our king-sized bed.
“Hullo?” I hear Harvey on the other end.
“Harvey.”
“Who is this?”
I roll my eyes. “It’s Wilder, Ingrid’s boyfriend.”
“What can I do for you, young man?”
I hold in a laugh.
“You’re a grown ass man, right Harvey?” I say.
He coughs. “I am.”
“And you have a job, right?”
“I do.”
“Then, call the goddamn insurance company and have them put you in a rental,” I snap.
Harvey breathes heavily. “I didn’t have insurance on my house. It was paid for. The fire destroyed everything. Even my safe with all my savings in it.”
That’s convenient.
I’m starting to think the whole burned-house thing is bullshit.
“Well, find an apartment, Harvey,” I say. “Living with your girlfriend’s parents who are a decade younger than you is embarrassing.” I pause before adding, “For all of us.”
Harvey sniffles. And for a split second, I think he might actually start crying.
“She’s so mean,” he barely says loud enough for me to hear.
“Mrs. Winthrop?” I frown.
That doesn’t sound like Jill. She’s the nicest person I know.
“No,” Harvey whispers. “Isla.”
