“You told me it was a sudden scheduling conflict,” I said.

Derek let out a short, dry laugh and checked his phone.

“Mother, give it up.

She isn’t going to help us.”

“No,” Eleanor said, staring straight at me.

“I want her to explain why she won’t lift a finger when her family is under pressure.”

“You put things off when it suits you,” I said to her.

“Like the text message you sent me on Tuesday morning during my commissioning week.”