“Perhaps. But I still dream of it. In fact, I think I shall pursue it.”
“Nonsense!” Mum said with exasperation. “You’ve an excellent job with Lloyds! Why would you want to do something that involved murder and unsavory characters?” she asked, shivering a little for emphasis.
“Dunno, Mum, but I do. And I’m really rather good at it. Furthermore, I care very little about the aristocracy. In fact, you could take the whole bloody lot of them and ship them off to China or some such place for all I care.”
Iris laughed, but his mother looked at him as if he’d insulted her somehow. “Oh really, you shouldn’t tease your mother in such a way,” Iris said, playfully tapping him on the arm.
“I’m not teasing her,” he said, swinging his gaze to Iris. “I’m being honest. I want to investigate homicides. I put in a call to my boss just this afternoon and asked if Lloyds might participate in an international exchange program. He thought it was a rather grand idea and has gone off to see what can be done. In other words, I am hoping that I might remain in Providence to learn the art of homicide investigation from the Americans. And then, I’m thinking of moving to America permanently.”
“But . . . But I don’t want to live in America!” Iris protested.
“Then I suggest you not do so,” he said pleasantly. “Iris, I was quite honest with you when I told you it was over. The thing is,” he said, trying his damnedest to be kind, “I wouldn’t marry you if you were the last woman on earth, and quite frankly, I really have no desire to ever lay eyes on you again. I’m terribly sorry if you think that’s harsh, but at the very least, it is honest. You should try it sometime—honesty, that is.
Iris gasped. She stared at him, clearly shocked.
“And Mum,” he said, turning to look at his equally shocked mother, “I really don’t give a rat’s arse about the Duke of Alnwick, and I’m actually quite brassed off that you thought to come here and try to manipulate me in such a manner. Please don’t cry—I do love you, Mum, but I really must finish my work, and my life, without your interference.”
“I can’t believe what I am hearing!” his mother exclaimed.
“I rather thought you wouldn’t,” he said pleasantly. “So I gave Dad a ring this afternoon, told him to expect you home in the morning. I also told him what I’m thinking of doing, and he thought it was a jolly good plan. He asked me to tell you to keep your knickers on, that it’s really not the end of the world as you know it.”
“So you intend to toss us out?” Iris cried, looking truly affronted.
“Not toss you out, but escort you to the nearest plane. You’ll find your bags are packed for the drive to Boston, where I’ve got you booked on the eleven P.M. flight to London.” And with that, he stood up and began to clear the table.
Needless to say, the drive to Boston was not particularly pleasant, what with Mum crying in the backseat and Iris reviewing all the disparaging names for the wretched cretin that he was, and insisting she’d ruin him socially in London. In spite of it all, Flynn kissed his mother goodbye, promised her he’d be home early in the new year, and hugged Iris, who then broke down in tears. “I’m sorry if I’ve hurt you, Iris,” he said sincerely.
“Don’t be ridiculous!” she snapped. “I’m not hurt! I’m upset that I wasted so much time with you!” she cried, and wrenched free of him, running to Mum for comfort.
Flynn stayed to watch their plane take off—one could never be entirely certain those two were completely gone—and satisfied they were on their way to London, he checked into a hotel. Tomorrow, he was flying to Chicago to retrieve the last of the items that Dagne had sold on eBay. When he got back, he was to call his boss and see what progress had been made on his request to participate in a six-month exchange.
And then he would turn his full attention to Rachel.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Providence was glittering with Christmas lights, which meant all retail outlets had expanded their hours to accommodate holiday shoppers. That was good news for Rachel, who stayed gainfully employed for several days in a row, and then paid her utility bill.