Page 104 of Things Left Unsaid

When the ticks show ‘read,’ I ring him again but the coward still doesn’t answer.

“Who are you trying to call?”

“Who do you think? He isn’t picking up.”

Me: Callan, after school, can you order those new locks you want to install on the doors?

Though he’s in class,of coursehe replies:

Callan: Sure.

Callan: Everything okay?

I cut Mum a look. “Did Ida tell Callan about Pops showing up?”

“Of course not,” she scoffs.

Relieved, I type:

Me: Everything’s fine. But with Mum here and now Zee, I like the idea of securing the place better.

Callan: It’s that rock you put on her finger, isn’t it? She has no idea how much it cost btw.

Me: Let’s keep it that way

Callan: I tried to tell her it was a Brazilian Alexandrite, but she wasn’t interested

Callan: Somehow, this arranged marriage saw you hitching your wagon with someone who doesn’t care about your wealth.

Me: I know

Callan: Funny how some stuff can work out for the best…

I ignore that leading statement.

Me: Aren’t you in class?

Callan: It’s boring.

Callan: I’ll order the new locks. They’ll be here tomorrow.

Me: Perfect. See you later

I shoot Mum a look. “We’re getting new locks.”

“Good idea. Your father’s your father,” she warns. “He’ll test your limits, so don’t let him get the better of you.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means that you shouldn’t let him make you lose your cool. He didn’t hurt anyone. Nobody apart from Ida saw him yesterday, and Lord knows she isn’t scared of him. In the grand scheme of things, no harm was done.”

“Only by luck.”

“Of course, but itwaslucky and it’s an opportunity to fix a hole in our security.”

“I didn’t think he’d come around,” I admit, snagging my teacup.

“Ida must have missed something when she was packing his belongings,” she says with a shrug. “He’s devious when crossed though, Colton. You know that better than I do. It’s not a bad thing we’re getting those new locks.”

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