Page 22 of Finch

“Hm. Yes.” Hugh chewed on his plump lower lip thoughtfully. “Well, Astrid isn’t the one,

obviously. Perhaps we’ll get luckier with the next one.”

“To keep this situation from happening again, you may wish to lock your bedroom door in

future, sir. At least when we have guests.”

Hugh’s eyes grew quite wide. “But then how could you bring me my breakfast? I can’t go

without breakfast.”

“Of course not, sir,” Finch assured him. “But not to worry. I have a key.”

“Oh! Well, then, yes. Locking my door seems like an excellent solution. Thank you, Finch. I

sincerely have no idea how I’d get on without you.” Hugh’s happy expression fell. “But now I’ve

nowhere to sleep.”

There were no extra rooms made up for sleeping, save Astrid’s room, and sending Hugh there

seemed like a terrible idea, especially as she might have departed Hugh’s room and gone back

there. “I could see if she’s left your room, if you wish.”

Hugh seemed to think it over, then shook his head. “No. Too risky. What would you say if you

found her there? I don’t want to hurt her feelings any more than I already have. I could sleep

on the sofa in my study, I suppose. Are there extra blankets? Do you think it would be

comfortable enough? My feet might dangle off the end if I don’t sleep with my knees bent. I

can’t imagine that would be good for my back, not that I have back problems, but I might if I

sleep like that.”

Finch sighed. “You’re more than welcome to sleep in my bed.”

“Oh. Well, if you don’t mind…” Hugh seemed to cheer up.

Finch did mind, but sleeping one night on a sofa wouldn’t kill him. “Not at all, sir. I’ll just grab

my pillow and you can have the bed to yourself. I’ll bring your breakfast in the morning, as

usual.”

Hugh’s face fell. “Oh.”

“Sir?” Finch asked.

“I had no thought of throwing you out of your own bed, Finch. What an absurd idea. No. We

can share your bed. With us being such good friends, there’s no need for you to go sleep

elsewhere.”

“I…” Finch was at a loss for words. He felt a fluttery sort of excitement mixed with horror and

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