Page 47 of Code Name: Typhon

“Do they have many?”

“Only three. My older sister is the only one of us who’s married and raising a family.”

Eliza rested her elbow on the table and her chin in her hand. “Do you have other siblings?”

“Two brothers. Joshua lives in Malta, and Jacob lives in the States. Magdalene is the only one of us who resides in England full-time like my parents.”

“Don’t you?”

I leaned forward and brushed her hair from her face. “I have a residence in London, but it is not my primary home. That is in Portugal, and I’m there as often as my work allows, which is hardly as much as I’d like.”

Her smile came through her eyes. “I love Portugal. Algarve in particular.”

“What a coincidence. Let me guess. You visited Quinta Do Lago.”

Her cheeks flushed. “Such a tourist, right?”

“My home is there. I dine in the resort’s restaurants often.”

“Are you telling Eliza about the Blackbird?” Sophie asked, setting two plates in front of each of us.

I shook my head. “I refer to it as Casa Melro.”

“How intriguing,” said Eliza, looking up at Sophie. “Have you visited?” Could it be she was jealous? I liked the idea she might be.

“No, not that I haven’t hinted for an invitation every time I see him.”

I rolled my eyes. “Sophie and her husband also own a restaurant in town. Even if I extended an invitation, neither would take the time off.” I looked down at our breakfast. On one plate was salmon eggs Benedict, and on the other, pancakes with berries.

“Wait. Do you own Bill’s?” Eliza asked. “I love that place. I thought the pancakes looked familiar. Have you eaten there?” she asked me.

“Many times.”

“I’ll let you two eat before it gets cold. Is there anything else I can bring you?”

“El?” I asked.

She shook her head and motioned to where she’d just taken a bite

“We’re good, Sophie.”

Eliza wiped her mouth. “You called me El last night.”

“Does it bother you?”

Her head cocked as though she was thinking it over. “No. Actually, no one’s ever used the nickname.”

“If that’s the case, let’s think of it as a term of endearment instead.”

“Like Levi?”

“Exactly.”

We chatted about the time we’d each spent in Brighton. I learned El brought friends visiting from Edinburgh, which led to a conversation about her time at university.

I found it interesting she chose to attend school there as a means to put distance between her and her parents. I knew of her father. He held the foreign-secretary position but was otherwise unremarkable.

“What about you? Are you close to your parents?” she asked.