Tess was sitting on my bed when I came upstairs, watching something on her phone. I'd told her before work that she could come in and borrow my hairdryer.
“You weren't back,” she said. “I waited.”
I put the box beside my red suitcase.
“I went to Callum's.”
She stopped the video.
“How was it?”
“We've sorted something out.”
I took the mugs out to show her. She picked one up and turned it in her hands.
“Nice.”
“The room's ready on Sunday. One o'clock. We'll have a key each.”
“Good.”
She sounded glad about the keys. I wanted her to sound glad about everything.
“He's got the tin,” I said.
She looked up.
“Ruby's?”
“Yes.”
“The money too?”
“Yes. I'm getting it tomorrow.”
Tess set the mug on the bed between us.
“So he did go in there.”
“He's told me now.”
“Has he told Mara?”
“I've said he needs to.”
She waited. I reached past her for the mug and wrapped it in its newspaper again.
“I'm giving it back to Ruby. He won't have to see her. She's going to stay somewhere else for a bit.”
“Why are you giving it back?”
“Because I offered.”
“Can't he leave it with Mara?”
“He could, but he hasn't. I'm trying to get Ruby's money returned, Tess.”
“I know.”
I put both mugs in the box and closed the flaps.
“You don't sound like you think that's good.”
“I think it's good if her money comes back. I don't like how you're the one carrying it round.”
“Someone has to.”
“He could.”
“And then they'd have another row.”
Tess slid off the bed. She still had my hairdryer plugged in beside the basin. She pulled the plug and began winding the cord.
“I just want you to be careful,” she said.
“I've been careful. I didn't say he was with me, did I?”
“No.”
“And I made him tell me what he'd done.”
“You did.”
I wished she would stop agreeing in that tone. It made everything I'd managed feel small.
“Why can't you let me have one good evening?” I asked.
She stopped winding the cord.
“I'm not stopping you.”
“You are. Every time I tell you something about him, you look at me as if you're waiting for me to get it.”
“Get what?”
“Whatever you think I'm too stupid to see.”
“Lena.”
“You'd be happier if I said we were breaking up.”
Her mouth tightened.
“Wouldn't you?” I pressed.
“I'd be happier if he hadn't asked you to lie.”
“You must be enjoying this, then.”
She put the hairdryer on the basin.
As soon as I'd said it, I knew I'd picked the worst thing. I could see it in her face. She had sat up with me while I was ill. She'd put a saucer over my tea the morning before. Now I was accusing her of waiting for my life to go wrong.
“That's a horrible thing to say,” she said.
I looked away.
“I'm not enjoying it,” she said. “I don't want your evening ruined. I was here because you said I could borrow something.”
“I know.”
She picked up her phone and cardigan.
“I'll leave you to it.”
“Tess—”
She stopped by the door.
I had a chance to take it back. Instead I said, “He isn't always like this.”
“I haven't said he is.”
She left, pulling the door closed without slamming it.
I stood beside the bed. The box looked different with no one to show it to.
After a few minutes, I went downstairs for water. Ruby was in the kitchen, writing a list on the back of an envelope. She moved it under her elbow when I came in.
“He said you'll bring it tomorrow,” she said.
“That's the plan.”
“Thanks.”
I filled my glass.
“Where are you going?”
“A friend's. She's said I can stay a few days.”
“What about work?”
“I asked Mara today. She's covering my rooms tomorrow afternoon, and she'll do Saturday's floor with you.”
“Does she know why?”
Ruby put her pen down.
“I told her I could use a couple of nights somewhere else. That's true.”
“You haven't told her the watch was missing too.”
“No.”
She didn't pretend to have forgotten.
“What time do you need the tin?” I asked.
“Before half past five. That's my coach.”
“From the promenade?”
“Yes. I'll wait at the shelter. I can get there a bit early.”
I put my glass on the table and took out my phone.
“Five?”
“Fine.”
I wrote it in my calendar. It was the first time I'd needed to put an appointment with Ruby beside something with Callum.
“You'll have all your money,” I said. “Not some promise he'll bring it next week.”
Her eyes moved over my face.
“I hope so.”
“I'll count it.”
She nodded.
“And then you'll stay away from him?” I asked.
Ruby let out a little breath.
“If I get my things, I don't need to be in his room.”
“Good.”
I took my water upstairs. Tess's phone wasn't lighting up the bed any more. Her cardigan had gone, and the hairdryer cord lay in a loose loop beside the basin.
I untangled it and put it away.