7c6cdd7d45cb035b54aafd3ac9eb9cc8

“When are we leaving?” asked Dooley, having come around to the idea of going to Thailand in record time.

“I’ll have to confirm with Kimmy, but I think we’re expected to travel in a couple of days. They’d selected another couple, but they’ve had to drop out, on account of the fact that the woman turned out to be pregnant.”

“They don’t like pregnant women on the show?” I asked.

“No, that’s where they draw the line. They don’t mind breaking up couples, but not couples that are married, or pregnant. They’re not that cruel. So Kimmy managed to slot us in, since they needed a new couple last minute.” She grabbed her phone. “I have to tell Chase. He needs to talk to my uncle about taking a leave of absence.”

“What about Harriet and Brutus?” I asked.

“What about them?” said Odelia distractedly as she typed a message on her phone, fingers darting across the screen with a dexterity that was close to the speed of light.

“Are they also going to Thailand?”

“Nope. When I told Kimmy I wanted to bring my pets she wasn’t keen. She only relented when I made it clear I wasn’t going without you, but she drew the line at two. If I took Harriet and Brutus I’d look more like a crazy cat lady and less like a candidate for Passion Island. Gran will take care of Harriet and Brutus while we’re away.”

I shared a look of concern with Dooley. Somehow I had the feeling this wouldn’t go down well with Harriet. Not well at all.

Chapter 10

“What do you mean I can’t go?” Gran cried. She stood, hands on hips, looking the picture of distress and disappointment.

“I’m sorry, Gran, but it’s a miracle Kimmy managed to get me and Chase on the show. There’s no way she could extend the courtesy to other members of my family.”

“What other members? I’m your sidekick. I’m the Dr. Watson to your Sherlock Holmes, the Hastings to your Poirot, the Jake to your Fatman—not that you’re fat.”

“It’s just another investigation, Gran,” said Odelia. “You’d be bored to tears.”

“Bored to tears on Passion Island? Are you nuts? It’s the adventure of a lifetime, the thing I’ve been dreaming of!”

They were in Odelia’s living room, Jeopardy playing in the background, and an aproned Chase preparing dinner in the kitchen—spaghetti bolognese, his specialty.

“You’re not going to leave your poor old granny at home, are you?” asked Gran, lip quivering and voice breaking. “All alone in this big old house with no one to take care of me?”

“Harriet and Brutus will be here,” Odelia pointed out. “And I’ve asked Uncle Alec to drop by every day.”

“It’s not the same and you know it,” said Gran, sinking down onto the couch. “Besides, Alec is so busy wining and dining Charlene these days he’ll forget about his poor old mother the moment you take off for the airport.” Next to Gran on the couch, two more disappointed members of Odelia’s family sat. Reading left to right, they were Harriet and Brutus. Though Brutus didn’t look half as disappointed as Harriet. In fact Odelia had the impression Brutus didn’t mind one bit. Harriet, though, looked crestfallen.

“I love that show, Odelia,” said the Persian. “In fact it’s the one show that could really benefit from my presence.”

Harriet had told Odelia all about her idea to launch a second Passion Island show, this time focusing on cats. Odelia didn’t see how that was even remotely possible, but it just goes to show that Harriet loved Passion Island with a passion bordering on obsession. It pained Odelia to have to leave them behind, but there was simply no way she could talk Kimmy into providing accommodation for two more of her cats.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “But it’s only for a short time. We’ll be back before you know it.”

“Why don’t you take me and leave Max?” Harriet suggested now. “I mean, I’m just as much of a sleuth as he is, and he doesn’t even like Passion Island. I do. I know everything there is to know about that show.”

“Don’t waste your breath, honey,” said Gran as she morosely stared at Alex Trebek. “Can’t you see her mind is made up? My favorite granddaughter has decided to stab her nearest and dearest in the back, all for the chance of becoming a star.”

“Gran, it’s not like that,” said Odelia.

“Oh, no?” The old lady pointed a bony finger in her granddaughter’s direction. “The moment you’re selected for Passion Island you cruelly ditch your sickly old grandmother and your two favorite cats. You know what I call that? Diva behavior. You’re not the same person you once were, Odelia. Success has gone to your head. It’s made you hard. In fact, you know what?” She got up very swiftly for a sickly old lady, and made for the sliding glass door. “I don’t think I want to see you for a while. I’m going back to my own home. Alone. Without anyone to love me or care for me.” And with a stifled sob, she slowly closed the door, stared at Odelia for a few moments, then slumped her shoulders and slouched off.

“Maybe we can find a way to bring her along?” Odelia suggested now, her heart breaking at the sight of her gran.