Page 35 of Painted

Early couldn’t seem to get their mouth to shut, they were so shocked. “And that was just allowed to happen without consequence?”

“Absolutely not,” Robert said. “There were devastating consequences.”

“Was he sacked?” they asked.

“God, no. He received a teaching commendation at the end of the year.”

Early gaped all over again.

“And he marked me down on every assignment I did for the rest of the year, nearly failing me in the process,” Robert went on. “He never looked me in the eyes again, even though I tried to absolve him of what he did. I even tried flirting with him again, but that just made things worse.”

“I…I don’t know what to say.”

Robert shrugged. “Guilt is a powerful force. Even when everyone agrees to something that may or may not be wrong, it can throw a spanner in the works of an otherwise good thing.”

“So, what are you saying?” Early asked, balling the ends of the sleeves of Raina’s cardigan nervously in their hands and squirming a little.

“Hell if I know,” Robert said with a wry laugh. “You and Rhys are friends. You’re good for each other. Whatever happened last night, it can’t be as much of a disaster as my first time.”

“I—oh.” Early dropped their shoulders, more confused than ever. “It’s just that Rhys is angry with me now.”

Robert snorted. “Rhys is angry with the world right now. He’s still healing from Raina’s death. I won’t go so far as to say he isn’t responsible for his actions, but I also wouldn’t go so far as to say he’s angry with you.”

“So, um, what should I do about it?” Early asked, desperately hoping Robert had some solid guidance to give. For life as well as for love.

“Give it time,” Robert said with a sympathetic smile. “You’re both dealing with a lot. It took more than a day to paint the Sistine Chapel. Talk to each other. Definitely do that. Sooner rather than later. Everything can be sorted by talking it out. I’ll even be there to facilitate if you need me to.”

Early couldn’t imagine anything more embarrassing.

“Okay,” they said.

“You’re doing a great job under trying circumstances, love,” Robert said, reaching out to rub Early’s arm. “In case anyone hasn’t told you,” he added.

“I think I’m rubbish at life,” they said.

“What?” Robert asked incredulously. “You? You’ve mastered the art of being yourself decades before most people even begin to try.”

“I have no idea who I am,” Early argued. “I can’t even decide what gender I am.”

“You’re you,” Robert said patting Early’s arm. “That’s the only label you need.”

Early sincerely doubted that was true, but hearing Robert’s praise actually helped. They felt a bit stronger, a bit more like someone was looking out for them.

“Do you need my help with anything else?” Robert asked. “Do you need me to march out there, find Rhys, turn him over my knee, and tan his backside, like I used to do when he was a naughty toddler?”

Early laughed, relaxing even more. “No,” they said. “Although I’d probably pay a few quid to see you spanking Rhys.”

“And pay a few more to do the job yourself, eh?” Robert winked at him.

Early flushed hot. He might like it the other way around, though he wasn’t sure he had a kinky bone in his body, but he wasn’t about to tell Robert Hawthorne that.

“I think I’m good,” they said.

But after wrapping things up, getting one more hug, and leaving Robert’s office, they weren’t sure if they were good yet. They walked down the corridor with a knot in their stomach, praying they wouldn’t run into Rhys. All the kind words Robert could say couldn’t erase the lingering feeling that they’d done something wrong and would have hell to pay for it.

“Did you run into the Hawthorne House ghost while doing your errands?” Rebecca asked them when they made their way timidly back to the office.

They blinked. “Is there a Hawthorne House ghost?”

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