Six months later, Iris opened the kitchen drawer and found Daniel’s pencil sharpener beside the scissors. It had arrived with his books, three good pans and the armchair she had finally repaired properly. He had moved into River Street four weeks ago, after the end of his Providence lease and several conversations that included rent, …
The house sale completed on a Friday, which Iris thought inconsiderate of a week already containing two difficult zippers and a woman who wanted a lined dress altered without removing any lining. The movers had come Thursday. By Sunday evening, the apartment on River Street contained her furniture, too many boxes and the unmistakable knowledge …
Three weeks into the Oregon assignment, Iris boarded a plane carrying a small bag, a paperback and an unreasonable quantity of nerves. She had closed the studio for Friday and Monday, warned clients in advance and left no work promised for days she would be away. Two repairs were ready for collection Thursday. The next …
At the airport Daniel discovered he had packed his reading glasses in the bag he had just checked. Iris looked at him. “Yes,” he said. “I know.” “I haven’t said anything.” “Your breathing has become expressive.” She laughed, then felt the laugh catch behind the parting she had been trying not to begin too early. …
Philip tried on his jacket Thursday afternoon and lifted both arms before Iris asked him to. “Habit,” he said. “How does it feel?” He moved his shoulders, sat in the blue chair, stood again and looked at himself in the mirror. “Mine.” “Good.” “Not tighter. Not different. Just mine again.” She smiled and checked the …
Daniel brought a folding chair, two paper cups and no flowers. Iris saw the choice before she could decide what she thought of it. “Tea,” he said. “I didn’t know whether you’d eaten.” “Not yet.” “Me neither.” He set the chair near the window, leaving enough distance between it and hers that neither would have …
The first thing Iris did in her own workroom was discover that the key turned in the opposite direction from the one she expected. She tried it twice, looked at the number on the door, then turned it left. Inside, the room smelled of clean wood and fresh air. Saul had opened the window. The …
Beth arrived on Saturday carrying cleaning supplies and a packet of croissants, which Iris considered an excellent balance of intentions. “We can’t go into the room until Monday,” she said. “I know. You told me three times.” “Did I?” “Yes. We’re preparing the things that go into the room.” “Right.” Beth put the croissants on …
On its last morning, Hargreaves opened seven minutes late because Hugh had put the keys in the pocket of the jacket he’d taken home. He arrived red-faced and breathless, holding them up as if the staff might otherwise doubt his evidence. “Nobody say a word.” “We wouldn’t dream of it,” Winnie said. Priya looked at …
On Thursday, a woman tried to buy the display table beneath a stack of reduced towels. It had already been sold to a cafe. Iris explained this, offered to take her details in case anything changed and was told she might have mentioned it before the woman fell in love. “I’ll improve my timing,” Iris …
