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?”

in having

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

suddenly slammed his book shut. He got his feet and replied evenly,

word, he set his book down and left

water. He froze when he saw Ashton stalking out. Joseph hurriedly shoved the glass of water towards me, saying,

shook my head and replied, “No need. Come over

nodded, smiling sheepishly. “Thank

need to stand on

time we’d traipsed back to my place, Nora had already arrayed the dishes on the table. When she saw us enter, Nora beamed, remarking, “What a crowd

I noticed that Armond wasn’t present. Turning towards Nora, I asked,

face coloring slightly. “He’ll

rather unusual reaction, I probed, “Is something the

in a low voice, “Let’s

surprised to see Ashton and merely greeted

had the peculiar feeling that everyone was privy to some

do you plan on spending Magpie Festival?” Nora abruptly asked. I

spending it with anyone? Why don’t you

flabbergasted. What is this woman trying to

his plate. It was Joseph, however,

the weekend besides,” Nora exclaimed. She enthusiastically shifted her attention to Armond, pressing, “Mr. Murphy,

usual collected self. He eyed Nora,

back, “I’m reserving you for tomorrow night,

erupted into a fit of violent coughing. Flustered, he reached