Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Afterward, Henry sent Sheila a message.

[Miss Sheila, I'm sorry. I couldn't get my mom to stay. She came home, but left again.]

By now, dinner was winding down. Even if Jessica rushed over at this point, it would be too late.

[Henry, oh... don't blame yourself. It's my fault. If I hadn't stayed at your house so long, your mom wouldn't keep staying away.]

Reading her message, Henry grew anxious and quickly typed back.

[Miss Sheila, does this mean you won't come see me anymore?]

[Of course not! I just think it's a little inconvenient going over to your place. But if you want to see me, how about I pick you up after school tomorrow and you come to my place instead? Would that be alright?]

Henry's reply was instant and thrilled.

[Absolutely! I'd love that.]

Everyone understood that Mr. Smith needed to adjust to the time difference, so the dinner didn't last much longer.

As things wrapped up, Timothy prepared to drive Mr. Smith to his hotel, but Vince stood up first. "Timothy, you've got a family waiting at home. Go on, I'll take Mr. Smith to his hotel."

Jessica's plans were still uncertain-if she didn't come home tonight, Henry would be alone, aside from the housekeeper. It wasn't quite the same as having Jessica there, and Timothy knew he'd feel better if she were.

He let Vince take over without protest. After Vince and Mr. Smith left, Ines also made her way out.

Bryant and Kane were saying their

was giving Sheila a ride

had probably decided that it wasn't the right time to discuss business-Mr. Smith had just landed,

needed a good night's rest, and Timothy wasn't likely to contact him again tonight. That

a big

and Mr. Smith

wouldn't be easy to arrange another meeting with Mr.

intention of pushing Timothy any further and risk upsetting him, so she agreed to let

of them stepped out

they reached the entrance, they nearly collided with Jessica, who'd

curled into the

Jessica well-and besides, she'd

any

other hand,

are you doing here at The Silverthread Eatery

a hurry. Are you

first to speak to Jessica, but

Sheila, then

of them, together at

all made sense.