There was some awkward shuffling as the group studied their feet. Archer’s ego stung a little at the way Mateo had shut him down, but otherwise it was hard to argue.

Mateo helped Stewart clamber to his feet. “Everyone back here for a rehearsal at one,” he announced, trying to brush the wrinkles out of Stewart’s suit.

“Yes, Mateo. You’re absolutely right.” Stewart sighed. He bent to pick up Judy and stroked her shiny fur. “Let’s see if we can’t tidy some things up.”

They mumbled their agreement. Beau and Ben studiously ignored each other while Caleb and Mateo glared across the circle. It was going to be a long day.

Archer slipped out of the theater on his own, not really feeling up for conversing with anyone yet. But he was only a few steps up the path when someone called his name.

Eileen waved at him from a bench down a branching pathway. “Archer!” she said as he approached. “Good morning.”

“Morning, Ms. Lamb.” In the silence that followed, he knew they were both thinking about the shit show last night.

But Eileen just cocked her head and smiled from under her peach-colored sun hat. “Did you ask Mateo about coming for tea?”

“Oh, um … yeah, things have been kind of crazy the past few days.”

“Hmm, yes, I noticed the missing bodies last night, and all the new partners. Not to mention the unhappy faces.”

Yup, Eileen really didn’t miss a thing. “Yes, er … Mateo said he would check his schedule…” Archer trailed off lamely.

She nodded. “I understand. If he changes his mind, I’m always available. Even if you don’t want to talk dance, I’d love to whip up some raspberry scones for you.”

Archer’s heart warmed. “Thank you, Ms. Lamb. You’re too kind.”

She patted his hand. “I know how it is, when things don’t quite work out how you planned.”

“What do you mean?” he asked her.

She gave him a knowing look. “Another time, perhaps. I saw Mr. Harpham-Lale in the audience last night, so I imagine you have rehearsal to get to. You have a good day, Archer.”

Archer grabbed a salad to go from the dining hall and took it down to the lake to eat by himself. There was a small sandy patch tucked into a copse of trees not far from the theater where he could flop onto a log and have a few moments of quiet. He studied the lake as he chewed, sunlight jumping off its surface in sharp white sparkles, the distant happy shouts from the main beach and chattering birds washing over him in a soothing medley. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath while the warm summer breeze played with his hair. Breathe, he reminded himself.