Chapter 22

Percy reached for the tea caddy. Where was the teapot? Oh, over there…He reached out for it and took the lid off and sniffed it dubiously. It smelled all right. Past-Percy had clearly been on the ball, rinsing it out before he left for the summer. Good man.

Tea, that was the thing. Make the tea. Give Adrian the tea. Adrian would leave. They’d never see each other again.

Good. Good plan.

The kettle began to whistle and he poured the water onto the leaves. He put it back down and fumbled with the lid on the teapot. His hand was shaking and the china lid clattered as he failed to get the notch lined up to seat it in place.

“Shit,” he said aloud.

Adrian’s hand came from behind him, covered his own, and took the lid of the teapot. He slid it into place and then slid his fingers between Percy’s, tugging him around to face him, holding his hand.

Percy was sandwiched between the kitchen work surface and Adrian. He couldn’t meet Adrian’s gaze.

“Just forget it, Ade, will you?” he said.