"Asking if he was going to be there isn't the same as suggesting you call him," Darlington points out, perhaps a shade testily. He lets out a breath, lets his nerves go with it, focusing for a moment on a particularly stubborn corner of the wall he's painting. "I'll come. And help with the books, if you need it."

He looks over at her again, watching her thoughtfully. "You're really getting into that, aren't you? Learning how it all works from that side."