Page 38 of Tainted Reasoning

“You will.” Victoria pats her still flat tummy.

“Oh my god. I hope it’s a girl. I can take her shopping, and we can spend all Nicholas’ money.”

Nicholas puts his head in his hands and groans.

“William, help me here.”

“Better a girl than a boy. If it’s a boy, Uncle William will spend all Daddy’s money on Lego to build with him.”

“I’m doomed.” Nicholas throws his hands up in the air and goes back over to his desk to resume reading the society’s documentation. Tamara and Victoria continue giggling between them. I can hear something about first dates if the baby is a girl with Nicholas standing guard like a mafia hitman looking after the Don’s daughter. I’m actually hoping for a little girl. After generations dominated by men, it’ll be refreshing to take the family name in a different direction. Mind you, Uncle William will be standing right next to Nicholas, protecting his niece.

Tamara stretches, then yawns. I can see the tension has finally been dispelled from her body, and exhaustion is taking over.

“Why don’t you go and have a nap?” I half question and half demand.

“I think I will. I could do with a shower as well.” She lifts her arm and sniffs. “I’m surprised one of you hasn’t already dumped me in a bath, because I smell so bad.”

“I didn’t think you’d appreciate it. I don’t see you as a wet t-shirt competition type of lady,” I tease, and she bats out at me playfully.

Victoria coughs. “Sorry to interrupt...” –She winks at us– “Tammy, can I sleep with you? I’m really tired, and I know Nicholas wants to finish looking at this document. I’m just…you know...”

“Of course...” –Tamara wraps her arm around her friend – “Sister.” She tests the word on her lips, and I know from the smile reaching the corners of her eyes she enjoys it.

“See you later, ladies.” I bow at them, and they leave the room. I look over to Nicholas who’s got a frown on his face as he studies the documentation in front of him.

“Something wrong?” I ask and drag my chair over to his table.

“No. I just want to make sure everything is correct, and there are no possible loopholes.”

“I’ll read through it later. You know how pedantic I can be at times.”

“Don’t I just.”

He tips his head toward the door.

“Bit of a shock for them both. Do you think they’ll be ok?”

“We’re living with two of the strongest women I know. They’ve been through shit and still come out the other side laughing and taking the piss out of us. They’ll be absolutely fine. We need to get Elsie out of the Viscount’s house as soon as possible, though. It’s dangerous for her there.”

“I know. I hated letting her go back. I wanted to put my foot down, but I think Tamara’s stubborn streak definitely comes from her mother, and not her father.”

“Oh, yes.”

Nicholas opens the drawer to his desk and pulls out a bottle of whiskey and two glasses. Pouring out a glass for each of us, he hands me one, and I hold it up in a toast to his health. He does the same to me.

“I’ve not had a chance to ask you how you're coping with everything? There’s a lot going on at the moment, and with you now having the freedom to be your own man, I wondered if you were managing ok? I’ve seen Tamara calm you down a few times, now.” Nicholas takes a sip of his drink and then holds it to his nose, so he can inhale the honeyed scent.

“It’s strange. Some days are better than others.”

“I can understand that.”

“The day care center was an eye opener. I realized autism is a lot more common than I originally believed. Our father often made me feel as though I was the only person with it in the world.”

“I’m glad she took you.”

“So am I.” I place my glass down on the table. “I’ve been doing some research since I left. There are a number of places like that around the country. I spoke to the manager of one. He was really friendly.” I pause, unsure of how to proceed with what I have to say. I don’t need to worry though. My brother’s always been able to read me like a book.

“You’re leaving Oakfield, aren’t you?” he asks – his face solemn.

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