Bound For Perdition by Celia Lake

Author:Celia Lake
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Celia Lake

Chapter 23

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13TH

Lynet was trying and failing to lose herself in her work when she heard Reggie on the stairs. She’d woken at half-five and hadn’t been able to get back to sleep. By seven, she’d been in the workroom, because she couldn’t think where else to be.

He was also early, nearly half an hour, which was not like him. He was far more often precisely five minutes early, or he’d be clear he might be late. Especially after that time he’d come back from lunch much later than expected, and apologetic, like he’d done something wrong. Rude, but wrong in other ways, too.

And then he’d come out on Friday, without hesitation, and he’d stayed. She should have offered him Papa’s bed, but she hadn’t been able to. The smell would change, and she could still smell Papa’s aftershave, the potion he’d preferred, on the sheets, and the way leather oil for the books permeated everything in the flat.

And yet, knowing he was down there on the sofa, that had been a comfort, and in a way she wasn’t sure what to do with. She’d wanted to come down, and watch him, but that had seemed quite rude. Besides, Reggie would have woken, likely, his instincts were like that.

Lynet hadn’t even been able to tell him any of that. She’d thought about trying, and it had all got crumpled up inside her head in the morning. The evening before, for all the terror and the cold, had somehow been simpler and less tangled. And Monday and Tuesday, she’d just felt awkward.

Now, though, she pivoted on the stool she was sitting on, as he let himself in. The expression on his face was odd, like he was worrying over something. She’d begun to be able to tell. The moments of discomfort he had looked different, or at least the ones that showed did. Worrying and perhaps a bit embarrassed. “May I check no one’s overhearing?”

Lynet blinked, but nodded. “Yes?” Not could he, but did he have permission. “I don’t generally like that sort of thing, for the record.”

“Also, it’s early enough. It’s probably not a problem.” Reggie set a small container, tied up with string, on the counter by the kettle. “That’s for elevenses. Lunch boxes are in my bag.”

“You - you don’t have to, you know.” She heard her voice catch. “I mean. I’ve been—”

Reggie turned around and held up one finger. “Moment.” He went through three different charms in quick succession, comfortably assertive with them. “Quite private. You were saying, Lynet?”

“I was rude, Saturday. Telling you to go away.”

“Were you?” He blinked at her, as if the thought hadn’t even occurred to him. “I thought you had good reason. I was glad to help, please do call on me again if I can. But you didn’t expect to have me in your space.”

“Most people don’t understand that. Most people think it’s ridiculous I’m keeping it when there’s just me and I’m not even working there.”

“Most people do not

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