A single wall separated the two rooms. Sound traveled easily across the balconies.

I rang the bell of the neighboring villa. Joseph answered the door. When he saw me, he started ever so slightly, then asked, “Mrs. Fuller, is something wrong?”

I paused, then smiled at him winningly. “Were you aware that we were neighbors?” It was peculiar that Joseph hadn’t asked me what I was doing here. Instead, he had immediately seized on something going awry.

Joseph’s eyes darted uneasily. He avoided the question altogether and exclaimed brightly, “Please come in!”

“No need for that,” I assured him. “It’s time for dinner, and you just moved in today. I suppose you haven’t had the time to cook. Would you like to join me?”

Joseph smiled but insisted on showing me in.

I felt it rather peculiar of him to do so. It all made sense to me, however, after I’d stepped and caught sight of the man himself seated on the grey couch and reading a book.

The one who had pushed for this move must have been Ashton rather than Joseph.

“Mrs. Fuller, let me get you a glass of water!” Joseph chirped, already darting out of the room in haste.

I remained standing where I was in the living room, tension creeping up my spine. I searched my mind frantically for something to say. Linda’s words flashed across my mind and I blurted, “Thank you for the ointment you sent me today afternoon!”

Ashton’s eyes never left his book. He casually turned a page, then replied coolly, “OK.”

Silence returned to the room.

I gulped, then continued, “Are you planning to stay here?”

didn’t seem interested in having a conversation with me at

pressed on. “I’m guessing that you haven’t had anything to eat. I’ve already made dinner. Do you want

his book shut. He got his feet

another word, he set his book

saw Ashton stalking out. Joseph hurriedly shoved the glass of

my head and replied, “No need. Come over and have

sheepishly. “Thank you for

need to stand

traipsed back to my place, Nora had already arrayed the dishes on the table. When she saw us

I noticed that Armond wasn’t present. Turning towards Nora, I asked, “Did you call Mr.

coloring slightly. “He’ll

reaction, I probed, “Is something the

faintly. She said in a low voice, “Let’s have

getting changed. He didn’t seem surprised to see Ashton and merely greeted him rather matter-of-factly. We

peculiar feeling that everyone was privy to

you plan on spending Magpie Festival?” Nora abruptly asked. I raised my head and met her

you spending it with

flabbergasted. What is this woman trying

up from his plate. It was Joseph, however, who spoke. “I think tomorrow’s the actual date of the

It’s the weekend besides,” Nora exclaimed. She enthusiastically shifted her attention

maintained his usual collected self. He

fired back, “I’m reserving you

of violent coughing.

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