Cato climbed into the car. “And can he do it?”
Devan started the engine. “A large part of me thinks something will go wrong. A slightly smaller part of me thinks it will all be fine.”
“I hope you didn’t tell him that.”
“I told him I believed he could do it. But this is Jonty we’re talking about. I have no idea what he’s planning and that’s worrying. As soon as Mum is out of hospital, I’ll have to head north. She won’t want us around anyway when she’s recovering. She hates to be seen as helpless.”
“She is going to get better?”
“Everyone is being upbeat. The first three days are the most critical and she’s on the third day now. Ten percent of people who have a stroke recover almost completely, so let’s hope she’s in that cohort. We both know how determined she is. I’m more worried about Dad.”
“And Jonty.”
“That goes without saying.” Devan shot Cato a smile. “He keeps me on my toes.”
“Let me give him a call.” Cato pulled out his phone. “I’ll put it on speaker.”
“Hi, Cato!”
“Just before you give me a list of what’s wrong with Devan, he’s sitting next to me. He’s just driving me to see Mum.”
“I’ll save the list until another time. I’m really sorry about your mum, that she’s so poorly. Tell her…if she doesn’t get better soon, I’ll come and see her. I asked Devan to give her a hug, but not to tell her it’s from me until he’s done it. Actually, maybe that isn’t a good idea to even tell her then. She might have a relapse.”
Cato laughed. “I’ll send her your best wishes. I don’t think any harm can come from that.”
“Don’t kiss her at the same time as you’re saying it, just in case.”
Devan smothered his laugh.
“I hear you’re organising a Halloween party,” Cato said.
“Ooh, can you and Vigge come? That would be so good if you could. You can stay with us. Remember we have a hot tub.”
“We’d love to come. Well, I’ll have to check Vigge’s not working, but I’ll come. What sort of things are you planning for the event?”
Devan glanced at him.
“It wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you, would it?”
“Just give me a clue. Employed the local re-enactment society to dress up as zombies and surround the hotel?”
“That’s a good idea. What do you think of a fifty-foot inflatable ghost?”
“Sounds great,” Cato said and Devan frantically shook his head. “What else?”
“Hmm, let’s just say don’t walk through the patch of sand in the car park no matter how tempting it looks.”
“Oh God,” Devan muttered.
“I heard that,” Jonty said, indignantly. “I thought Big Ears Boss would be listening. Don’t you trust me, Best Boyfriend in the Entire World?”
“Not Universe?” Devan asked.
Cato grinned and Devan glared at him.
“Well, I’ve been thinking about that. What if there is life on other planets? What if there is a parallel universe with a Devan who doesn’t do all the aggravating things this Devan does?”
“Such as?” Cato asked.
“Careful, Jonty,” Devan said.
“This Devan buys carpets that show footprints.”
Cato laughed. “Is that it?”
“The rest is not safe for the car. He might crash. It would be very difficult to explain to the police that he can’t settle for the night unless he’s polished the granite.”
Devan rolled his eyes.
“Is that a euphemism?” Cato asked. “No, don’t tell me.”
“I have everything under control,” Jonty said.
Devan glanced at him. I hope you do. But even if you don’t, I’ll be there to help you.
“You do trust me, don’t you?” Jonty whispered. “You believe I can do this.”
“Of course I do.” Devan didn’t want to burst his bubble, but he was glad Jonty couldn’t see inside his head. This time Jonty’s impulsiveness might just have made him bite off more than he could chew. The sooner Devan went north to chew it with him, the better.
~~~
The first thing Jonty did when he got back to Seahouses, was call Devan.
“I’m home safe and sound,” Jonty said. “The train driver thought it was perfectly reasonable of me to have pulled the communications cord when I saw the cow with its head stuck in the fence. And I’m going out again.”
“Uh? Where to? You didn’t, did you? What was wrong with using your phone? Unless you panicked. Did you panic? Or course you panicked.”
“You sound like me. Am I rubbing off on you?”
Devan didn’t say anything.
“Am I?” Jonty asked.
“Yes. And I like it.” Devan smiled.
“Good. Well, I phoned the police to tell them about the cow. Though I did think about pulling the communications cord, but I figured it was better not to because what if the cow had been able to get its head out and I’d just misunderstood? The police said thank you anyway. And as for where I’m going, I’m heading to the hotel to speak first to Bruce, and then to Marcus about the food for the party.”
“In my Aston?”
“Yes.”
Devan groaned. “Drive carefully.”
“But you know I need to practise my handbrake turns and changing gear from one to two without somehow going through three. I’m sure I’ll master it if I keep trying.”
“You can’t see me shuddering. Just imagine it. I’m trembling like a jelly. Concentrate on driving in a straight line at no more than twenty miles an hour for the time being. What sort of food were you thinking of?”
“Pastry snakes and witches’ fingers and marshmallow ghosts.” Jonty waited to see what Devan would say.
“Er… Might not be quite right for the price per head Alan decided on.”
“Marcus will have ideas, I’m sure. How’s your mother?”
“I gave her your hug and she said thank you.”
“You told me she couldn’t speak!”
“You worked a miracle.”
Jonty didn’t know whether to laugh or not. “Do you know when you’re coming?”
“You promised…something tonight. I’m definitely coming for that.”
“Did I? What something?” Jonty knew what he’d promised and he wondered where Devan was that he couldn’t say it. “Where are you?”
“In the hospital with my mother and father and Cato.”
“So you can’t talk. Is there a cupboard?”
Devan laughed. “No.”
“Find one and then you can talk to me properly.”
“There isn’t one.”
“Remind me what I promised.”
“Call me later and I’ll remind you.”
“Tell me now so I can be sure I have everything I need. Butt plugs, nipple clamps, horsey hooves.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing those. I’m going to be very disappointed if I don’t.”