Hector's anger, on the verge of exploding, deflated instantly like a punctured ball.
He turned around and, unsurprisingly, saw Arabella staring thoughtfully at Dylan Dawson and his son at the edge of the crowd. The longer she looked, the graver her expression became, until a look of pity surfaced on her face.
'This is why you have to be so careful when you're repaying a debt of gratitude. One wrong move, and you could drag yourself and your whole family down with you.'
'Repaying a debt? Dragged down?' Hector's ears perked up, and his gaze toward the Dawson father and son softened.
'This is a brand-new source of gossip! I have to keep them around and get the full story.'
Realizing there was prime gossip to be had, Hector's back suddenly stopped aching, his legs no longer felt sore, and the faint look of utter exhaustion on his face was replaced by a smile.
Unfortunately, that smile didn't last long.
