Chapter 37
Jai flees my grasp, polishes off one toast, grabs another, which he forces into my mouth. I take a bite off one corner, gesture it away. "What time do you need to be at the airport?"
"About eleven a.m."
There's disappointment on his face, which I already expected. "I'll be at work, then. This is too last minute for me to find someone to cover my shift."
"I'll ask xiao Jie to drive me, I want a chat with him."
"About us? I don't think he'll ever be okay with it."
"He's gonna have to. Hey, don't look so glum, I'll deal with him. He's a good kid, he is, just a bit hot-headed."
"Takes after his uncle."
Jai's playing around, by I can sense the immense sadness that's come down over him. We finish the meal in silence, he cleans up immediately, and I can't help wonder if this too, was something that late husband of his demanded. The man sounds more and more like an ogre.
"How long are you staying? In London, I mean."