Callum looked at Bartlett in admiration. âYouâre a real charmer, buddy. Youâve got the ladies all figured out.â
Bartlett brushed off his friendâs teasing and stood up. âIâve got to get going.â
âWhat? Already?â Callum asked, âI thought we were going to have a couple of drinks once Iâm done with work?â
Without turning back, Bartlett waved his hand. âNo time for drinks. Iâm off to see my girl.â
As he watched Bartlett leave, Callum couldnât help but admire his friendâs confidence and charm.
When Ellinor descended the stairs, little âAdrianâ was patiently sitting in the living room, sipping on his cola. Belinda was trying to engage him in conversation, but he seemed uninterested.
That was until he saw Ellinor. His eyes lit up as he said, âMommy, can we go home now?â
Belinda looked puzzled at Ellinor. âThat was quick. Are you done talking to Dr. Callum already?â
Ellinor didnât respond to Belindaâs question. Instead, she picked up Adrian and said, âBelinda, Iâve got some stuff to deal with. You head home on your own, okay?â
Before Belinda could respond, Ellinor had already left with Adrian.
âBut⦠you donât have a carâ¦â Belinda started, but Ellinor was already out of sight. Belinda was about to follow when a voice stopped her.
âI can drive her.â
Surprised, Belinda turned around to see Bartlett. âBartlett? What are you doing here?â
Bartlett smiled. âCallum and I are old friends. He didnât tell you?â
Belinda shook her head. Callum was her therapist, and he rarely talked about his personal life.
Bartlett stepped forward, his tone calm and reassuring. âI needed to see Ellinor today anyway. Donât worry about it, Belinda. Callumâs waiting for you upstairs.â
Before Belinda could say anything more, Bartlett had followed Ellinor out.
She knew that Bartlett had a soft spot for her aunt. And maybe, if her uncle was really gone for good, it wouldnât be such a bad thing if something happened between them.
With that thought in mind, Belinda decided not to follow them. Instead, she went upstairs to see Callum.
Callum sat in his office, sipping his coffee. He had thought everyone had left but was surprised to see Belinda return.
âWhatâs wrong, Belinda?â He asked as she walked in with a disgruntled look.
Belinda sat down, crossing her arms. âWhat did you say to Ellinor, Dr. Callum? She left in such a hurry.â
Callum shrugged. âIâm not sure whatâs up with Ellinor. She thanked me for some advice, but Iâm not quite sure what that was.â
This only confused Belinda more. âSo⦠does Adrian really have some psychological issues?â
Callum took another sip of his coffee. âNo, heâs a fine kid. Just a bit shy.â
Shy? Belinda found that hard to believe. She didnât see Adrian often, but in all their encounters, she had never seen him as a shy kid.