Page 187 of Every Silent Lie
Mr. Percival laughs. “You young folk. So underprepared.”
“So, are you coming?”
“Camryn, dear, I like to have myself a Brandy or ten. I wouldn’t expect any of you not to enjoy an alcoholic beverage so you can bring this old fool home.”
“We can get you a taxi.”
“Are you mad? It’s triple fare on Christmas Day!”
“You can stay,” Dec pipes up.
“Stay? At your house?”
“Sure, why not?” He shrugs. “It’s Christmas, and Albi’s quite fond of you. But not your gnomes. They stay here. And your cat.”
I laugh, and Mr. Percival chuckles too. “He loved the Spitfire,” I say, smiling wide. “And he’d love to see you too.”
His chest puffs out. “Ah, well, if it’s the little fella we’re aiming to please, then I will graciously accept your offer.”
“Good.” Dec nods sharply and casts his eye around the kitchen. “Suppose I ought to load the car.”
* * *
Mr. Percival can’t believe his eyes when we pull up outside Dec’s house. “Oh, you’re one of those posh sorts, aren’t you? I should have known.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Dec asks over a laugh as he helps him out of the car.
“Well, the car, the heroics, the fancy clothes.”
“I still don’t know what it’s supposed to mean.” Dec looks at me in exasperation, and I grin, looping my arms through Mr. Percival’s.
“There’s quite a few steps.”
“I’ll manage.”
He does, but it takes a full ten minutes to climb them until we’re at the front door. April swings it open. “Oh, well, who is this then?”
“I might ask the same,” Mr. Percival says.
“I’m April, Dec’s sister. And this is my husband, Blaine.”
“Pleasure to meet you, sir.”
“Likewise.” Mr. Percival hobbles through the door. “Now, this is all very lovely, but we all know I’m not here for you lot.” He’s a liar. He’s totally here for me too. “Where’s the alcohol and the kid?”
“Mr. Percival!” Albi dashes toward him, nearly taking the old guy off his feet when he comes in from the side and hugs his thigh. “I’ve been flying the Spitfire!”
“Oh, now, there’s a story for me to tell you,” he says, shuffling onward with Albi clinging to the side of his walking frame. “Crash-landed in enemy territory, I did.”
“Oh my gosh.”
“That’s what I said when I come round. Maybe a little more colourful.” They disappear into the lounge together. “But that’s not for your ears, kid.”
April and Blaine both cock their heads in question at us. “Don’t ask,” Dec says, putting an arm around me. “But, bonus, we don’t need to cook. Blaine, give me a hand getting dinner out the car. And lunch. And supper. And sandwiches for the next month.”
I laugh as they head out to unload, and April catches me off guard and hauls me into her body, cuddling me hard. “I’m sorry about your mum.”
I welcome her hug, wrapping my arms around her too. “It’s okay. She’s at peace.” I pull out and smile. “I think she waited for me to find Dec.”
