“Come help me with the coffee machine.” “I told Pete I’d sit with him and do the crossword.” “That’s all right, young man,” calls Pete, suddenly developing stellar hearing for the first time in his very long life. “I’m almost done.” Fuck. “Even eighteen across?” “Even eighteen across.” Layla is still pointing at the door. “Coffee machine.” I swallow hard. “I really don’t want to help you with the coffee machine,” I whisper. “Don’t make me come around this counter.” “Fine. Okay. Fine.”
