27

An hour later, Alex pushed an Elise in her wheelchair, both laughing loudly at something before they spotted Paris who looked unhinged as he walked around the grounds.

Elise saw him first, waving. "Paris!"

He turned first, the panic in his eyes giving way to relief as he jogged to them. "What the actual fuck? Two of you going fucking missing at the same time. I thought Dad had—" Then he paused. "Where have you been?"

"Garden," Elise giggled. She had on a blue sun dress with her hair braided. There was also some hint of make-up on her face. Paris could swear she looked livelier than he had ever seen her. "Alex is allergic to flowers!"

"Mrs Holmes," Alex said, laughing now. "It's supposed to be our secret."

"But I told you he's allergic to cats even though you call him Kitten,"

"That too, was a secret."

Elise giggled this time, a hand over her mouth. "Sorry."

She did not look sorry.

Paris' face had morphed to that of confusion as he stared at his Mother before he got closer, sniffing th