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“Are you sure you can find the kitchen?”
“No, but getting lost in this castle isn’t going to be the worst thing in the world, is it?”
William smiled crookedly. “If you’re not back in thirty minutes, I’m sending the cockatiel after you.”
“Ouch. There’s no need to threaten her,” James said from the other side of the living room.
“Thank you,” I said to Freya’s fiancé. “Someone understands.”
William held his hands up. “Better hope you don’t get lost then.”
“Why don’t you just tell me how to get there?”
“Quite fancy sending the bird after you, to be honest.”
I grabbed a cushion from the sofa and smacked him around the back of the head with it. “Piss off.”
James laughed, and Freya did a double-take as she walked in. “Whatever is going on?”
“How do I get to the kitchen?” I asked her. “I need to call my father back and your brother is threatening me with that bloody bird.”
“Oh, William, you’re such a dick,” Freya said to him. “I’d beat you with a pillow, too.” She turned to me and said, “Left at the end of the hall, then right, and it’s the third door on the right in that hallway.”
“Thank you,” I said, sliding out after her. My phone buzzed in my hand with a text from my dad.
DAD: Answer the phone, please.
ME: Finding better signal. I’ll call you back.
I hurried along the halls in the directions Freya had told me and found the kitchen unscathed.
Now to get off the phone in less than half an hour so William wouldn’t send the bird after me, because I wouldn’t put it past him.
I found a good spot near the window, pulled a stool over, and dialled my father’s phone. It rang three times before he answered with a “Good. That was quick.”
“Yes, sorry, I don’t have the best signal,” I replied. “And I think I know what you’re going to tell me.”
“Eric died overnight.” My dad’s voice was thick, like he was trying not to cry, and I closed my eyes as my heart clenched for him.
“I know,” I said softly. “I’m so sorry, Dad. I know you were good friends.”
“We were. He helped me through the—well. Everything.”
“Mm.” I looked down. “I don’t suppose you’ve spoken to Fred, have you?”
“Not yet. I was going to ask if you have.”
“I text him not long ago, but no. I’ll let you know as soon as I do.”
“Thank you. I’d appreciate it. We’re sending flowers over—I wanted to know if you’d like your name attached to them.”
I drew in a deep breath. “I suppose it should be.”
“It would only be appropriate.”
“Then yes, please do.”
“I’ll make sure to when I order. Please keep your schedule flexible, also. Margaret made it clear on the phone that all four of us are invited to the funeral, and I expect you to attend.”
