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“I’m leaving.”
“And by the way, don’t waste time there! I know what you do at the supermarket.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I know that you wander around until someone recognizes you, and when someone does, you ask them to fetch all the items. You shouldn’t take advantage of people.”
“I don’t do that,” he said with a laugh.
“Hurry up and go,” I said, pushing him toward the door.
“There are no crostini on this list,” Devin said, putting on his shoes.
“The only grocery aisle you can find. Now get out of here.”
“I’m going, I’m going.”
I realized quickly what little Devin had in the way of entertainment supplies. He had no fine china, little in the way of serving platters, and the ugliest napkins. I would have to make do with what little I had to work with.
While I waited for Devin, I tidied up the house and set the dining room table. When he returned with the groceries, he offered his assistance, which shocked me. He wouldn’t know a broom from a mop.
“You could cut some vegetables,” I said, delighted that he wasn’t going to disappear for the afternoon and leave me with all the work.
“Right,” he said, pulling out some potatoes.
I watched as he gingerly washed them, making sure there was no evidence of leftover dirt on them. At the pace he was going, he’d have the potatoes washed by dinner.
“You’re being very thorough,” I said, pulling out eggplant. It was a hint more than an observation.
“I want my potatoes to look clean so that Carlton won’t suspect anything once I’ve poisoned them.”
“Very funny.”
“Don’t eat any of the big fat ones.”
I chuckled to myself as I sliced the eggplant. I was using one of Rosa’s recipes.
“So what’s for dinner?”
“Minestrone, baked eggplant, and roast with vegetables.”
“Sounds good. Did you clear the meal with Carlton? He is watching what he eats.”
“If he doesn’t want to eat it, he doesn’t have to.”
That amused him, and he started to peel the potatoes with the same great care. It was nice having him around the kitchen to pass the time, but he needed to pick up the pace.
“Is Nigel coming by himself or is he bringing a date?” I asked.
“Nigel isn’t coming at all. He had to fly out last night.”
Oh. The evening just got more interesting. “I’m amazed. Nigel isn’t coming and you’re still chipper?”
“I’ve already decided that Carlton can’t do anything to bother me.”
“He isn’t coming tonight to bother you.”
“Just the sight of him bothers me. Except tonight.”
