“Sure.” Deirdre placed down her cutlery and said, “Don’t worry. I’ll stay home. I won’t go anywhere.”

“Hmm.”

Deirdre assumed that that was all. She was preparing to get up and leave when Charlene suddenly spoke.

“Brendan, it would be rather boring for Ms. McKinnon to stay at home all alone by herself. Why don’t we have Sam take Ms. McKinney to get some warmer clothes while we’re at the musical? Winter is coming, and Ms. McKinnon might fall sick if she doesn’t have proper clothes to wear by then.”

Deirdre raised her head and wondered what sort of trick Charlene had up her sleeve.

Brendan glared at Deirdre in disgust. “Did you hear that? Charlene still cares about you and worries that you might fall sick even though your evil deeds have put her in harm’s way on multiple occasions.”

Deirdre wanted to laugh. ‘Anyone is capable of pretending, but does Brendan know what sort of person Charlene is when she is not around him?’

“We’re all women, after all.” Charlene smiled bitterly. “W