When There Is Nothing Left But Love

A single wall separated the two rooms. Sound traveled easily across the balconies.

I rang the bell of the neighboring villa. Joseph answered the door. When he saw me, he started ever so slightly, then asked, “Mrs. Fuller, is something wrong?”

I paused, then smiled at him winningly. “Were you aware that we were neighbors?” It was peculiar that Joseph hadn’t asked me what I was doing here. Instead, he had immediately seized on something going awry.

Joseph’s eyes darted uneasily. He avoided the question altogether and exclaimed brightly, “Please come in!”

“No need for that,” I assured him. “It’s time for dinner, and you just moved in today. I suppose you haven’t had the time to cook. Would you like to join me?”

Joseph smiled but insisted on showing me in.

I felt it rather peculiar of him to do so. It all made sense to me, however, after I’d stepped and caught sight of the man himself seated on the grey couch and reading a book.

The one who had pushed for this move must have been Ashton rather than Joseph.

“Mrs. Fuller, let me get you a glass of water!” Joseph chirped, already darting out of the room in haste.

I remained standing where I was in the living room, tension creeping up my spine. I searched my mind frantically for something to say. Linda’s words flashed across my mind and I blurted, “Thank you for the ointment you sent me today afternoon!”

Ashton’s eyes never left his book. He casually turned a page, then replied coolly, “OK.”

Silence returned to the room.

I gulped, then continued, “Are you planning to stay here?”

Ashton intoned. He clearly didn’t seem interested in having a conversation with me at

“I’m guessing that you haven’t had anything to eat. I’ve already made dinner. Do

suddenly slammed his book shut. He got his

another word, he set his book

a glass of water. He froze when he saw Ashton stalking out. Joseph hurriedly shoved the glass

replied, “No need. Come

smiling sheepishly. “Thank you for

need to stand on courtesy,” I

had already arrayed the dishes on the table. When she saw us enter, Nora beamed,

Armond wasn’t present. Turning towards

her face coloring slightly. “He’ll be down in

unusual reaction, I probed,

smiled faintly. She said in a low voice, “Let’s have dinner

surprised to see Ashton and merely greeted him rather

that everyone was privy to some information I

Festival?” Nora abruptly asked. I raised

encouragingly. “Are you spending it with anyone? Why don’t you ask

What is this woman

likewise had looked up from his plate. It was Joseph, however, who spoke. “I think tomorrow’s the actual date of the Festival,

enthusiastically shifted her attention to Armond, pressing,

maintained his usual collected self. He eyed Nora, then answered

“I’m reserving

fit of violent coughing. Flustered, he reached out for the napkins on the