Ren had his coat on when I called him back. That should have been enough information.
I was looking at the collection slip instead.
"Stores before the repair counter closes," I said. "The glove should be ready."
He stopped in the doorway.
"This afternoon, young master?"
"The time is here."
I held out the slip. He looked at it without taking it. The pause made me remember the schedule lying beneath my elbow.
His afternoon away from duty. The same arrangement I had agreed to when he arrived, written clearly enough that I had no excuse to claim I hadn't known.
"It shouldn't take long," I said.
Ren's fingers tightened around the edge of his coat.
"I have an appointment."
"After the collection?"
"At that time."
