‘Will someone kindly …’ the sound of Jake’s agitated voice came from the other side of the door, ‘open this door?’ He was obviously having some difficulty gripping the smooth brass handle with his bandaged hands.
Faye reached for the door.
‘Wait!’ Marcus startled her. ‘Shall we let him stew a moment longer?’
Stew? Perplexed, Faye turned from the door to find Marcus looking in Aubrey’s direction.
‘I think that’s an excellent idea, Marcus,’ Aubrey replied, ‘considering he led me on a wild goose chase last night. I was stunned when he didn’t come home. I exhausted all the possibilities of where he might have gone.’
Faye looked at Aubrey, sheepishly hoping Marcus did not tell him where exactly Jake had been the previous night.
‘And don’t forget leaving me to sleep on the porch last night; that upset my apple cart, I can tell you.’
Faye turned on Marcus. ‘Upsetyourapple cart?’ She motioned at the glass on the floor. ‘Look what you did to Jake’s home, to Jake.’
Aubrey put his hands on his hips, looking at the glass, and nodded in agreement, his expression turning serious. ‘You’reright. It’s not a joking matter.’
Marcus ignored them both and added. ‘It might make him think twice the next time he stays out all night without telling anyone his whereabouts.’ Marcus nodded theatrically in Faye’s direction.
‘Ah.’ Aubrey turned his head slowly and settled a knowing gaze on Faye. ‘Now, isn’t this a turn-up for the books?’ He smiled. ‘Lucky fellow.’
Faye shot Aubrey a look. Was he being serious? ‘Look, it’s not what you think.’ Faye caught Marcus mouthing the last three words as she was saying them. ‘Well, it isn’t,’ she glared at him. ‘Besides, I’m too old for Jake.’
‘Says who?’ Aubrey.
‘Me.’
‘How old are you?’ Marcus.
Faye hesitated.
‘Oh, come on, not another one with a problem divulging their age. Besides I told you mine.’ Marcus peered at Faye with a malicious grin.
Yeah, well, it’s a bit different when you’re closer to forty than thirty, thought Faye. Still in this instance, it might prove a point. ‘I am thirty-eight.’
‘Why, you’re still just a baby!’ Aubrey sounded disappointed. ‘For a moment there I thought I was in with a chance. Young fellows have all the luck,’ he said glumly.
‘But don’t you see? I’m six years older than Jake.’
‘So what?’ Aubrey threw up his hands. ‘Besides, Jake’s always been an old soul.’
That was true. Faye had noticed that. When he had applied for the student teaching position, she hadn’t expected to meet such a world-weary thirty-two-year-old. But once she’d found out about his background, and discovered some facts of a more personal nature, she’d put it down to his recent loss. NowAubrey was about to enlighten her further.
‘I often wondered if losing your parents so young does that to a person.’ Aubrey shook his head solemnly. ‘A kid must get to thinking that the world is not such a friendly place after all.’
‘I can hear voices out there, you know.’ Jake’s tone told Faye he couldn’t hear the details of the conversation.
‘We know,’ said Aubrey and Marcus in unison.
But still, Faye blushed at the thought that Jake might have overheard that snippet about her age, although she had no idea why that should bother her.
‘Is that you, Aubrey?’
Aubrey looked up. ‘Got me, Jake. How are you doing?’
‘Not very—’ He halted. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘I came to pick up Marcus, take him to work.’
