”How was I supposed to stay asleep after the racket you made? Besides, what are you making? Because something is definitely burning.”

“Nothing.” Brendan wore a self-conscious expression, not unlike a thief. In fact, he quickly put the blame on Mrs. Engel. “It was Mrs. Engel! She forgot to turn off the stove before she left, and I smelled it burn. It’s basically coal now.”

Deirdre was skeptical. Mrs. Engel would never do something so careless. “Oh, really? Or were you trying to play chef again?