"Is Grandpa arriving tomorrow?" Robert asked, peeling an apple with one of Joanne's blunt knives.
"Yep," Joanne called from the kitchen, "and your PA is messaging Jeff, complaining that you're not looking at your emails. Apparently, there's an issue with a supplier of the hotel in Paris and…" she trailed off when she saw Jeffrey walking in and taking over the conversation.
Jeffrey sighed. "Robby, seriously."
Robert didn't even pretend to listen. He was staring blankly at the apple peel curled on the table like he'd just discovered a new species.
"Robby!" Jeffrey called, sharper this time.
Robert blinked. "What?"
"When are you going to end your vacation?" Jeffrey asked, tone firmer now. "Your company needs you."
Robert turned his head slightly, as though the sunlight through the windows demanded more attention than his cousin's voice.
