Oli gritted his teeth. "Not yet," he pleaded. "Let's just wait a bit longer. We'll tell people we're together... eventually. Just not right away."

"I'm not waiting for a long time," Erik said. "I don't want to have to wait until the house is empty before I can even hold your hand."

"Neither do I," Oli groaned, "but I just need some time.

"Some," Erik agreed. "But we're going to tell people sooner rather than later."

"It sounds so quiet," I said and closed my eyes. "This house has not been this quiet in a long time."

"Where is everyone?" Beth wondered as she sat next to me on my...