“Oh, stop being so bloody melodramatic. It’s not the end of the world.”

“You’ve been sleeping with Arthur!”

“So? I’m not dead. I can have sex. Why did you think I had condoms in my bedroom?” She sniffed. “Besides. You were the one who came storming in without knocking.”

“Yes, yes, I was,” I admitted. “But I didn’t think you were home, and I didn’t have any bloody condoms, did I?”

“Surely you have some in your room.”

“Why would I have condoms in my room?”

“Because they’re more useful there than in the kitchen, dear.” She paused. “Depending on where you want to do it, I suppose.”

Well, I was never eating in this kitchen again.

“I haven’t got condoms! I haven’t had sex in two years!”

“Oh, my.” Aunt Cat stopped feeding the dog. “I can see how me having it might grind your gears a little, then.”

“Aunt Cat. You have been secretly sleeping with the butler.”

“Yes, and you were about to shag the gardener. What difference does it make?”

“I haven’t shagged anyone. There’s the difference!”

“No wonder you’re so uptight today, dear.”

“Oh, my gosh. This is ridiculous.” I held out my hands. “I’m not sure why on Earth you think this is going to help the situation. Dad is hurting a lot right now.”

She gave the dog a scratch on the top of the head. “He’ll get over it. If your happiness matters, he’ll be fine with you dating the gardener.”

“He doesn’t care about me seeing Miles!”

“There’s no need to shout, dear.”

“Yes, there is, because you aren’t listening!” I slapped my hands down on the island, startling the dog. “You have been secretly sleeping with the man who has served our household for more thirty years and who is one of his closest friends. You have been courting a relationship right under his nose for the past seven months and never thought to tell your brother that you’re in love with someone who means a lot to this family.”

Aunt Cat stilled, looking down at her feet.

“I am always on your side, Aunt Cat. I’ve taken the wrap before for things you’ve done because I knew it wouldn’t hurt Dad as much if it was me being an idiot. Heck, I tried to cover for you last night by saying a spider scared me.”

“You aren’t scared of spiders.”

“Exactly! I still tried! I have always covered for you and taken your side, but I won’t take your side on this. You should have told Dad. He deserves more than you lying to him.”

“Gabi, I—”

“I am so happy that you’ve found someone who makes you happy. Truly, I am, and I cannot think of anyone in this world who deserves that more than you do, and I believe the two of you are a wonderfully weird match and that you will be happy together.”

She looked at me with tears in her eyes.

“But you didn’t need to break Daddy’s heart in the process. He would have understood and given you both his blessing.” I backed up towards the door. “It’s not always easier to ask for forgiveness, Aunt Cat. Not when the person you’ve wronged would have moved Heaven and Earth for your happiness in the first place.”