When Eric arrived that night, he felt like he was walking on air.
The day had gone smoothly.
By the time he pulled into the driveway of the Blackwood estate, dusk had settled.
He stepped inside and was immediately enveloped.
"Eric!" Claudia exclaimed, crossing the hall and pulling him into a hug as if he'd been gone for months instead of hours. "My darling boy."
Eric stiffened slightly, then returned the embrace out of reflex. "Mum… are you okay?"
"Yes, of course," she said brightly, stepping back to examine his face. "Why wouldn't I be?"
He narrowed his eyes. "When you act like this, it means you're up to something."
"I'm just happy," Claudia replied serenely. "You are my son, and I wouldn't ask for anything else."
Eric raised a suspicious eyebrow. Happiness, in Claudia Blackwood's world, was usually accompanied by schemes and manipulation.
"Come on," Claudia said lightly, waving a hand toward the stairs. "Go take a shower and come down for dinner. We'll wait for you."
